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UN PhotoUN / MOZAMBIQUE FLOODS
STORY: UN / MOZAMBIQUE FLOODS
TRT: 04:33
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT FOOTAGE FROM UNICEF ON SCREEN
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 19 JANUARY 2026, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
1. Wide shot, UN headquarters
2. Wide shot, spokesperson Farhan Haq at the dais
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“From Mozambique, our OCHA colleagues tell us that more than half a million people have been affected by recent floods in southern and central provinces. Heavy rains since mid-December have caused widespread flooding in the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and Sofala. Authorities report that more than 510,000 people have been affected so far, with major damage to health facilities and roads. Nearly 5,000 kilometres of roads have sustained damage across nine provinces of Mozambique, with the main road connecting the capital, Maputo, to the rest of the country now inaccessible. Supply chains lines are significantly disrupted, and authorities report the loss of more than 27,000 heads of livestock. The Government is leading the response. On Saturday, it formally requested UN support for search-and-rescue operations, preventative evacuations, damage assessment and the provision of temporary shelters. Evacuations continue, and 50 temporary accommodation centres nationwide are hosting more than 50,000 people. We and our partners are scaling up life-saving assistance, focusing on easing overcrowding in accommodation centres, particularly in Gaza Province, as assessments continue in hard-to-reach areas. Additional funding is urgently needed to sustain the humanitarian response. Meanwhile, OCHA is engaging with countries across Southern Africa – including Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini – which are also experiencing severe flooding.”
4. Wide shot, end of press briefing
CREDIT UNICEF – 19 JANUARY 2026, MOZAMBIQUE
5. Various shots, flooding in Mozambique Gaza province
6. Various shots, flooding in Mozambique Buzi Sofala province
“More than half a million people have been affected by recent floods in southern and central provinces,” a UN spokesperson said, as heavy rains continue to batter Mozambique and disrupt transport, health services and supply lines.
Briefing reporters in New York today (19 Jan), UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said flooding since mid-December has hit Gaza, Maputo and Sofala provinces particularly hard, with authorities reporting that more than 510,000 people have been affected so far.
Haq said the floods have caused major damage to health facilities and roads, with nearly 5,000 kilometres of roads damaged across nine provinces. The main road linking the capital, Maputo, to the rest of the country is now inaccessible, Haq added, significantly disrupting supply chains.
Authorities have also reported the loss of more than 27,000 heads of livestock.
Haq said the government is leading the response and formally requested UN support on Saturday for search-and-rescue operations, preventative evacuations, damage assessments and the provision of temporary shelters.
Evacuations are continuing, with 50 temporary accommodation centres hosting more than 50,000 people nationwide, he said. UN agencies and partners are scaling up life-saving assistance, focusing on easing overcrowding in accommodation centres, particularly in Gaza Province, as assessments continue in hard-to-reach areas.
Haq warned that additional funding is urgently needed to sustain the humanitarian response.
He added that OCHA is also engaging with countries across Southern Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, which are also experiencing severe flooding.
