IMBISA Appeals for Support of Flood Victims in Southern Africa, Appreciates Pope’s Solidarity

Johannesburg, 30 January, 2026 / 10:31 PM

The Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) has called for support to flood victims in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, where deaths and massive destruction have been reported.

In a solidarity statement issued on Friday, January 30, IMBISA also praised Pope Leo XIV for his expression of closeness and compassion to the victims of the floods caused by torrential rains that began in mid-December 2025.

IMBISA expressed spiritual solidarity with all affected communities and with the Catholic Church in the region, particularly the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM), the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), and the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC).

“We recognize with gratitude the unity and prayers expressed by our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for the countries affected, urging the universal Church to be in solidarity with those experiencing this difficult time,” the Bishops from the nine member nations of Southern Africa said.

IMBISA added in the statement that their President, Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda of Namibia’s Windhoek Archdiocese, signed, “We appeal to humanitarian organizations, governments, and all people of goodwill to offer a helping hand to those affected by this tragic event.”

Catastrophic flooding continues across southern Africa after weeks of torrential rainfall, reportedly linked to a combination of La Niña and human-driven climate change—a “perfect storm” of weather conditions that has worsened the scale of the disaster.

Reuters reported on Thursday, January 29 of a significant increase in rainfall intensity, which has overwhelmed infrastructure and amplified flooding in the three nations.

In Mozambique, it is reported that search and rescue operations are ongoing, especially in hard-to-reach areas of Gaza and Manhica provinces, where roads have been cut off, and boats are needed for access.

The death toll in Mozambique is above 100, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the floods. Authorities in the country have warned of grave public health risks, including cholera and other water-borne illnesses, due to poor sanitation in displacement sites.

Floodwaters have pushed wildlife such as crocodiles into populated areas, causing additional fatalities and danger in towns like Xai-Xai and Moamba. The government has appealed for international humanitarian assistance, noting the scale is beyond national response capacity.

In Zimbabwe, flash floods and sustained heavy rains have reportedly killed dozens, especially in Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, and Mashonaland East. Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, with significant infrastructure losses such as roads and bridges.

The government and emergency services in the country have issued repeated flood warnings, and some districts remain under states of emergency with evacuations ongoing.

In South Africa, a national disaster status has been declared in parts of the country due to flood impacts after continuous heavy rains, particularly in Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.

Rescue teams evacuated tourists and residents from areas like Kruger National Park, which experienced road and bridge damage. Fatalities have been reported, though lower than in neighboring countries, and floodwaters continue to threaten communities as rivers rise.

Reports indicate that about 1.3 million people across southern Africa have been affected by the flooding (including Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia in broader assessments), with urgent needs for shelter, clean water, sanitation, and health services.

There are also growing fears of cholera and other water-borne disease outbreaks due to contaminated water sources and disrupted health infrastructure.

In the January 30 statement, IMBISA, which brings together Bishops from Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, encouraged the affected nations, stating, “We find strength and hope in God’s Word.”

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” the Bishops said.