“The pain of our people is real”: Archbishop of Maputo Appeals for Solidarity amid Devastating Floods in Mozambique

Maputo, 21 January, 2026 / 5:31 PM

Archbishop João Carlos Hatoa Nunes of Mozambique’s Catholic Archdiocese of Maputo has called on the people of God to stand in solidarity with families affected by severe flooding across the Southern African nation, particularly in the southern region. 

In a message issued Monday, January 19, Archbishop Nunes describes the floods as a time of “profound suffering”, with numerous families displaced, homes destroyed, and lives disrupted.

“In this particularly painful moment in the life of our country, marked by heavy rains, floods, storms, and the destruction of homes—especially in the southern region, but also in other parts of Mozambique—I feel called, as the Shepherd of the Church that journeys in Maputo, to address you with a word of solidarity, closeness, and hope,” the Catholic Archbishop says.

He laments, “Our Archdiocese, the Ecclesiastical Province of Maputo, and many other regions of the country are deeply affected.”

“Countless families have been displaced, people have lost their belongings, their livelihoods, and in some cases, loved ones. The pain of our people is real, concrete, and cries out for compassion,” the Local Ordinary of Maputo says.

He says, “In this context of collective suffering, we invoke the protection of God, our merciful Father, who never abandons His children, and we entrust all those affected to the maternal intercession of Our Lady, Mother of Hope and Consolation, so that she may comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who have lost everything, and sustain those who work to assist the victims.’

Archbishop Nunes reminds the people of God of the spiritual lessons in the midst of crisis:

“The floods are not merely a natural phenomenon; they challenge us as individuals, communities, and as a society, calling us to responsibility, discernment, care for our common home, and attention to the most vulnerable,” he says.

He warns against unhelpful responses, stating: “This is not a time for sterile accusations or divisive speeches, as we so often see in the press and on social media.”

“It is a time for awareness, conversion, and commitment, a time for faith that translates into concrete acts of love and solidarity. As a Church, we are called to be ‘new wineskins,’ with open hearts and structures capable of responding to the urgent needs of our people,” he adds.

To address the immediate needs of flood-affected families, the Archbishop announced that Caritas Maputo is spearheading a relief campaign. 

“We strongly encourage parishes, communities, groups, and all the faithful of the Archdiocese to continue mobilizing, promoting simple but effective acts of fraternal aid. Everyone can contribute, no matter how small. Every gesture counts; every act of sharing is a sign of hope for those who have lost almost everything,” he says.

Archbishop Nunes underscores the importance of rebuilding not only homes, but also community bonds. saying, “Looking ahead to the post-flood period, we are called not only to rebuild homes, but also to rebuild relationships, attitudes, and responsibilities, so that similar situations encounter a people better prepared, more attentive, and more united in solidarity.”

“May this difficult time also be a kairos, a favorable moment, in which a Mozambique more conscious, more fraternal, and more caring of human life and creation is born,” he says.

The Catholic Church leader implores, “I entrust this path to the Lord and to the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May hope fill our hearts, and may solidarity be the common language of this time of trial.”