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

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.

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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.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.