UNICEF and the European Union strengthen flood response with the arrival of a humanitarian aircraft in Mozambique
“This first international humanitarian flight, funded by the European Union through ECHO, represents an important step in urgently delivering life-saving supplies to communities in the most affected provinces.”
Maputo, Monday, 26 January – UNICEF Mozambique marked the arrival, in the early hours of Monday, 26 January, of 88 metric tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies, filling a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet cargo aircraft, funded by the European Union through the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), to support the response to the ongoing floods in the country.
The cargo, valued at approximately USD 552,000, includes critical materials for health, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, education and child protection, as well as high-performance tents that will be used to set up child-friendly spaces, temporary health clinics and other essential services in the areas most affected by the floods.
To officially mark the arrival of these supplies, an event was held at the Cargo Terminal of Maputo International Airport, where the materials are being prepared for urgent distribution to the most affected areas. The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas; the Ambassador of the European Union to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore; the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, Dr Catherine Sozi; the UNICEF Representative in Mozambique, Mary Louise Eagleton; and the President of the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), Luísa Meque.
Mozambique is currently facing a rapidly escalating flood emergency following exceptionally heavy rainfall recorded between December 2025 and mid-January 2026. According to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), approximately 650,000 people have been affected nationwide.
UNICEF teams are on the ground, working in close coordination with the Government of Mozambique, INGD, the United Nations system and partners, to assess needs, support affected communities and distribute critical supplies. The arrival of these supplies significantly strengthens the humanitarian response already underway.
“The impact of the floods in Mozambique has been vast and deeply felt across the country. The Government of Mozambique has appealed for solidarity from the international community and has received important support from partners such as the European Union and UNICEF, as well as from SADC and neighbouring countries. We are impressed by the speed of the response. However, needs remain enormous and it is urgent to further strengthen international support,” said Maria Manuela dos Santos Lucas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
“The European Union stands in solidarity with the people of Mozambique. We are working hand in hand with Member States to provide assistance at a time of greatest need. This humanitarian air bridge translates European solidarity into action, ensuring, with UNICEF’s support, that essential aid reaches the families and communities who need it most,” said Antonino Maggiore, Ambassador of the European Union to Mozambique.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to the European Union and its Member States, as well as to all the countries that have contributed, committed to contribute, and will continue to stand alongside the Mozambican people,” said Dr Catherine Sozi, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique. “This is the essence of global solidarity, and this is what the United Nations does: giving voice to the needs of thousands of people affected by crises that also reflect the global challenges facing our planet. At the same time, we know that much work still lies ahead.”
“The intense rains that caused flooding are having an extremely severe impact in Mozambique, affecting around 650,000 people nationwide. Many families have lost their homes, with thousands of houses and dozens of schools damaged or destroyed. We are witnessing enormous pressure on communities, public services and essential infrastructure,” said Luísa Meque, President of INGD.
“In response to this situation, the Government of Mozambique has mobilised all its response mechanisms and is working in a coordinated manner with national and international partners. This is a moment that requires the involvement of everyone—government, humanitarian partners, the private sector and communities—to ensure a rapid, effective response focused on protecting the most vulnerable people,” the INGD President added.
“The ongoing floods are having a critical impact on hundreds of thousands of children and their families in Mozambique,” said Mary Louise Eagleton, UNICEF Representative in Mozambique, during the event. “This first international humanitarian flight, funded by the European Union through ECHO, represents an important step in urgently delivering life-saving supplies to communities in the most affected provinces.
“In the coming days, our priority is to ensure that these materials reach the children who need them most as quickly as possible, while continuing to mobilise additional support in close collaboration with ECHO and other partners.”
UNICEF will continue to work side by side with the Government of Mozambique and partners to ensure that children affected by the floods are protected, supported and not forgotten.
