On Thursday, July 2, the government began emergency rehabilitation work on dikes and dams in the Limpopo, Incomáti, and Búzi river basins, an initiative aimed at reducing the risk of flooding following the 2025–2026 rainy and cyclone season, which affected more than 900,000 people, according to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique.
According to the agency, the projects—funded by the World Bank through the Contingent Emergency Response Mechanism (CERC)—cover the dikes in Xai-Xai, in the Lower Limpopo region, the Incomáti River—including Josina Machel Island—and the Búzi River in Sofala Province, as well as improvements to the Massingir and Macarretane dams.
At the launch ceremony, held in the city of Xai-Xai, Gaza Province, the Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael, stated that the initiative marks the transition from the emergency response phase to a more resilient reconstruction process, aimed at minimizing the impacts of future extreme weather events.
According to the official, the goal is to restore critical infrastructure, reestablish essential services, and ensure greater safety for the affected populations, in line with the guidance of President Daniel Chapo to invest in infrastructure that is more resilient to climate change. “We want to rebuild infrastructure capable of withstanding floods and prevent the same investments from being destroyed repeatedly,” he said.
Once the projects are completed, the government expects to enhance protection for approximately 930,000 people and roughly 120,000 hectares of farmland in the country’s main vulnerable areas.
“In the Lower Limpopo region, about 150,000 people and 20,000 hectares will be protected; in the Incomáti region, 100,000 people and 10,000 hectares; in the Búzi region, 180,000 people and 30,000 hectares; while Massingir and Macarretane will benefit approximately 500,000 people and 60,000 hectares,” explained Fernando Rafael.
In addition to protecting populations and agricultural areas, the government hopes to significantly reduce the risk of future flooding, preserve public infrastructure, and increase communities’ capacity to respond to extreme weather events.
On that occasion, the minister called on communities to help maintain the dikes, discouraging illegal logging and settlements in high-risk areas. “A dike is not just earth, stone, or concrete; it is protection, safety, and organized community life,” he concluded.
