National authorities are receiving international support in the context of the crisis caused by floods affecting several regions of the country, after South Africa deployed a specialized search and rescue team to support national authorities in responding to the emergency, the Mozambique Information Agency reported on Monday, January 19.
In a statement, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) said that as part of “Operation CHARIOT,” a South African Air Force Oryx helicopter had been mobilized, accompanied by an advanced search and rescue team, which is already in Maputo.
According to the SANDF, the aircraft and its contingent landed successfully in Maputo and will operate in close coordination with national rescue teams and Mozambique’s disaster management authorities in a joint effort to reinforce rescue and humanitarian assistance operations.
“The priority is to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the worsening situation, working side by side with the Mozambican authorities,” the statement said, stressing the importance of regional cooperation in the face of the impacts of heavy rains affecting southern Africa.
The South African intervention comes at a time when Mozambique is facing one of the most severe flooding crises in recent years. According to official data, at least 103 people have lost their lives as a result of heavy rains that have mainly affected the central and southern regions of the country, leaving around 200,000 people affected.
The floods have also caused destruction or significant damage to thousands of homes, forcing tens of thousands of people to seek shelter in temporary accommodation centers. Essential infrastructure, including water supply systems, access roads, and food supply chains, has also been affected.
The SANDF notes that this support to Mozambique is taking place in parallel with emergency operations that continue in South African territory, particularly in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where flooding has also left populations isolated and infrastructure damaged.
The national authorities remain on high alert and are calling for the cooperation of the population as they continue their search, rescue, and assistance efforts to the most vulnerable communities.
