from ARMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique Bureau
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) – SOME of the worst flooding across Southern Africa in decades is escalating into a health crisis.
Children are bearing the brunt of the heavy downpours that have affected more than 1,3 million people, with houses and critical infrastructure destroyed, disrupting access to health and education services.
The rainy season is expected to continue for at least another month, further painting a gloomy picture.
A lack of running water and destroyed sanitation facilities fuelling a spike in waterborne diseases
Across Mozambique, severe flooding has affected over 844 000 people and claimed over 146 lives. Nearly 181 000 homes have been flooded, alongside 579 schools and more than 1 600 classrooms, disrupting learning for over 300 000 students.
In the worst affected province of Gaza, Save the Children teams are reporting that children are drinking, bathing and playing in highly contaminated water, raising fears of an imminent diarrhoea and cholera outbreak.
The aid agency said healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, damaged or inaccessible, putting services out of reach for many.
The Red Cross has allocated ₣750 000 (US$978 735) to assist around 45 000 people.
In 2025, Cyclones Jude and Dikeledi, caused extensive damage to critical social infrastructure, including 131 health facilities.
In Zambia, flooding has affected over 4 000 households, destroying over 370 houses, displacing families and washing away more than 900 hectares of crops.
Safe water, sanitation and waste management services are damaged or destroyed.
Zambia is now battling a cholera outbreak, with over 240 cases reported and seven deaths so far this year. Some 26 percent of reported cases are children under 15 years.
Chilobe Kambikambi, Save the Children Country Director in Zambia, lamented the combination of flooding and disease that children were facing.
“Floods are cutting children off from schools and health services, while unsafe water and poor sanitation are driving the spread of cholera. Without urgent action, children’s health, nutrition, and education will continue to suffer.”
In Zimbabwe, weeks of rain, flooding and storms have killed at least 118 people and injured 61. The rains have affected nearly 8 300 people and damaged facilities.
A surge in malaria cases is now further threatening the lives of children with over 1 700 cases reported in the first week of January alone.
Additionally, an increase in diarrhoea is worsening the risks for children.
South Africa is on high alert over possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases. This is due to extensive damage to water and sanitation infrastructure.
Authorities are flagging it as a high public health risk and efforts intensified to supply safe drinking water to impacted communities.
This amid floods killing 39 people and injuring over 150. More than 19 500 people, many of them children, are affected. Nearly 4 000 homes have been submerged, destroyed or washed away.
“Children are paying the highest price for a crisis they did not create. With homes, schools, and clinics destroyed, they now face deadly waterborne diseases,” Gugu Xaba, Save the Children South Africa CEO, said.
Southern Africa is among the regions in the world worst affected by climate change.
Apart from flooding, countries suffer periods of drought.
– CAJ News