The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has deployed its Emergency Response Team (ERT) to assist Mozambique and South Africa as both countries continue to cope with severe flooding and extreme weather conditions that have caused widespread destruction, displacement and loss of life. The regional deployment, active from 23 to 31 January 2026, aims to support national authorities in emergency response operations, early recovery planning, continuous monitoring of the evolving situation, and the development of a coordinated regional humanitarian appeal.
Prolonged heavy rainfall across the southern African region has led to river overflows, dam spillages, flash floods and inundation of low-lying areas, severely affecting several SADC member states. Mozambique’s central and southern provinces — including Gaza, Maputo, Sofala, Inhambane and Manica have been among the hardest hit, prompting a government Red Alert and urgent calls for humanitarian assistance. South Africa declared a State of National Disaster as flooding in provinces such as Limpopo and Mpumalanga damaged infrastructure and displaced communities.
SADC’s ERT is assisting with assessing humanitarian needs, emergency response capacity gaps and advising on targeted regional support. The deployment also forms part of the bloc’s broader disaster response mechanisms, which coordinate closely with international partners and national disaster agencies to deliver a timely and effective humanitarian effort amid one of the region’s most challenging weather-related crises in recent years.
Emergency teams have already begun integrating their efforts on the ground, including logistics, search and rescue, public health and coordination support, highlighting SADC’s commitment to regional solidarity during natural disasters.