Flooding in Mozambique: A Disaster to an Already Fragile Agrifood System

In early 2026, Mozambique experienced the worst floods the country has seen in more than 30 years. For a country already facing deep structural poverty, high climate vulnerability and persistent food insecurity, the floods have further exacerbated an already fragile situation. The direct impacts have been severe, contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis, with no clear end in sight.

As a part of my ongoing work at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as an intern on environment and natural resources management, I have been able to gain some insights from the ongoing emergency response efforts. What we are currently witnessing in Mozambique is not only a climate shock, but a major disruption to an already fragile agrifood system.

Mozambique is considered a low-income, food-insecure, and food-deficient country, with approximately 82 percent of its population living in extreme poverty. Between October to March 3.5 million people faced acute food security.  Around 72 percent of children are malnourished, and 37 percent of children under 5 are stunted, reflecting a situation in which structural vulnerabilities affect large part of the country.

The country also faces simultaneous crises. While central and southern regions are coping with severe flooding, the Northen region continues to experience long-term, conflict driven displacement, placing additional strain on humanitarian response capacity.  At the same time, funding shortfalls across humanitarian operations are forcing significant cuts to assistance, further limiting the scale of the response.

The floods struck during the peak of the main agricultural season, when crops are most vulnerable. According to a rapid analysis from FAO, at least 313 051 hectares of cropland have been exposed to floodings, impacting more than 871 000 people. Approximately 392 000 people are displaced, particularly in Gaza province, with Maputo and Sofala province also heavily impacted.

The damage extends far beyond homes and infrastructures. Entire rural livelihoods have been disrupted. Testimonies from affected communities describe fertile fields now covered in sand and debris and no longer suitable for agriculture. Food stocks have been lost, with low expectations on the next harvest, due to flooded and degraded fields. Agricultural tools are missing or damaged, and planted seeds have been washed away. Small-scale fisheries/fisherfolks have lost their tanks for aquaculture, and boats are missing. Over 5 000 km of roads are damaged, limiting access to markets across the country. Field staff estimates 50-75 percent of yield loss because of flooding and overflowing rivers.

Water-related challenges extend beyond the fields. Floodwaters have contaminated drinking water sources, damaged irrigation infrastructure and increased risks of water-borne diseases. For many communities, access to safe water and sanitation has become an additional daily challenge alongside the loss of food and income.

For rural families, these losses are more than one failed production cycle. They signify the erosion of productive assets accumulated over years. A farmer told FAO personnel that he lost 60 percent of his annual income because of destroyed crops. Now he is only able to sustain his family for a short period of time. Others are describing situations in which their food stocks and small savings are completely gone. Now depending entirely on donations and emergency aid and fearing hunger and misery in the coming months.

The social consequences of the losses are extensive. Loss of income is limiting some households’ ability to purchase school materials or pay for healthcare. Women in particular, have reported a heavier workload because of food security challenges and efforts to rebuild the household.

As FAO has highlighted “For these rural families, the loss is not simply a failed harvest. It is the loss of seeds, tools, labour invested over months and, critically, access to land for the coming months. Without immediate support to replant or restore productive available land, thousands of households face prolonged food consumption gaps and a heavy reliance on external assistance.”

It is therefore crucial to recognize the cumulative effects of flooding and the risk of a secondary food crisis. The initial destruction has caused a disaster, but what follows could be even worse: lost production cycles, distress sales of remaining livestock, and increased poverty. With crops destroyed during peak agricultural season, families lose not only income but also food. When livestock dies, long-term assets are disappearing. When fishing equipment is washed away, so too are key livelihood options.

FAO, together with humanitarian and government partners, is working hard to reach affected people. However, the scale of need remains immense. FAO calls for action to assist families restart food production and rebuild their livelihoods – quickly!

Immediate actions include the distribution of seeds and tools for replanting immediately, support for the production of fast-growing vegetables to mitigate the short-term food gaps, emergency animal health campaigns to protect surviving livestock. The government of Mozambique is also conducting an in-depth damage and loss assessment to identify the value of the lost production and develop a recovery strategy. FAO is supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries in assessing losses in the productive sector and planning recovery measures.

Emergency interventions are a race against the clock. With the rainy season continuing until April, risks of additional cyclones and rain remain high, leaving vulnerable households exposed to further disasters. A new planting season begins in March and if missed, food production will be limited until the next main harvest, in March 2027.

Beyond immediate relief, recovery efforts must also focus on long-term resilience. Restoring agricultural production will require rehabilitating damaged irrigation systems, reclaiming farmland covered by sand and debris, supporting the national seed system, and supporting farmers with climate-resilient seeds and sustainable land management practices. Techniques such as improved soil restoration, flood-adapted cropping systems, and better water management will be essential to rebuild livelihoods in ways that reduce vulnerability to future climate shocks.

With quick support, there are chances of preventing a secondary food crisis. Investments in rapid replanting and livelihood restoration can reduce vulnerability and protect future harvests. Strengthening resilience and anticipatory action today can reduce the humanitarian burden before the next shock strikes. At the same time, the crisis presents an opportunity to rebuild more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for a better environment, production, nutrition, and life.