“May the Lord help you and bless you”: Pope Leo XIV Prays for Flood Victims, Displaced in Mozambique

By 16 January 2026, the government declared a national red alert for heavy rains and floods; authorities reported at least 103 deaths and around 173,000 affected in the early part of the crisis, local reports said.

On 18 January 2026, national airline LAM operated a special relief flight to Gaza province to support humanitarian response after road closures due to flooding.

The devastating effects of the rains and floods compelled the country’s President, Daniel Chapo, to cancel his planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, citing the severe flooding and the urgent need to prioritize life-saving measures at home. 

A UNICEF situation report issued on 21 January 2026 documented thousands of displaced families, damaged schools and health facilities, and hundreds of thousands of people affected (figures covering late December 2025 to mid-January 2026).

Reuters report updated on January 26 reports 13 confirmed flood deaths but cautioned the toll was still expected to rise due to the increasing rains.

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Media reports further indicate that between January 23 and 26, severe flooding continued across southern Mozambique—crocodiles displaced into towns by rising waters were linked to at least three deaths in Gaza province.

On infrastructural impact, major highways in the country are said to have been cut or heavily damaged, leading to extensive disruption to travel and supply routes.

On 28 January 2026, the Mozambican government announced a delay to the start of the 2026 school year by one month due to flood damage to schools and facilities.

Local reports as of 29 January 2026 indicate that 14 people have died as a result of the recent floods, with 691,522 people affected as of 27 January 2026. Cumulatively, the reports say that more than 812,000 people have been affected since October 2025, as rescue and response operations continue in Gaza and Maputo provinces.

Earlier on January 18, after praying the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo also expressed his spiritual closeness with hundreds of thousands affected by floods in the southern African countries of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

“I would also like to assure the victims of the recent floods in southern Africa of my prayers,” he 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.