Disasters in Mozambique

Mozambique's formal disaster-risk system is called Gestão e Redução do Risco de Desastres, commonly shortened to GRD or RRD. INGD leads prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, emergency response, UNAPROC operations and post-disaster reconstruction. CENOE coordinates multisector information and decisions, while provincial COE structures, local authorities and CLGRD support action closer to affected communities. CTGD provides technical advice and coordination. INGD also works with humanitarian partners, including the Humanitarian Country Team, when national response capacity needs support. The disaster categories recognised under Lei 10/2020 include river floods, wider flooding, drought, pests, cyclones, fires, uncontrolled burning, erosion, landslides, hydrocarbon spills, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, nuclear radiation and disasters caused by human activity. Epidemics and pandemics can appear as categories under disaster legislation, but their primary subject remains health rather than disaster management. Mozambique's coast, lowlands and river basins face recurring cyclone, storm-surge and flood risks. Drought affects the country repeatedly, while earthquakes and landslides are more localised. Disasters can damage roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, water systems, telecommunications, housing, agriculture and supply chains. A World Bank risk profile using a 2010 model estimated annual exposure of about 2 million people to cyclone wind and storm surge, about 200,000 to floods and about 600,000 to drought. These are historical model estimates, not current annual counts. The Sistema de Aviso Prévio, or SAP, combines weather, hydrological and community warning functions. INAM issues meteorological warnings for rain, wind, thunderstorms, cyclones and heatwaves. DNGRH provides hydrological information and river-level data. INGD coordinates the wider warning system. Messages can travel through radio, television, sirens, bells, megaphones and local structures. Community SAP arrangements can record local risks, monitor rainfall and river levels, warn nearby people and support the first local response. The legal warning levels are amarelo when a damaging event is forecast, laranja when it is imminent but still potentially reversible, and vermelho when impacts are irreversible and a major disaster may occur. The government activates the relevant level and sets the required behaviour. Mozambique has no single fixed nationwide warning lead time because the timing depends on the hazard, forecast, location and available information. CLGRD are voluntary local committees that can prepare risk and resource maps, action plans, emergency kits and radio access, organise warning dissemination, support evacuation, search and rescue, shelter and post-disaster needs assessment. Official examples include committees in Maputo Province, Zambézia, Sofala, Gaza and Inhambane. Their coverage and capacity are not identical everywhere. Annual simulations are commonly held before the rainy season where local structures operate. During an emergency, UNAPROC carries out search, rescue and humanitarian assistance. CENOE works through planning and information, infrastructure, social and health, and communication sectors. CLGRD often provide the first local response. Evacuation orders, shelter arrangements and routes depend on the event and location, so local authorities and current warnings should be checked rather than relying on a permanent nationwide shelter list. Mozambique's disaster law applies to public authorities, citizens and public or private legal entities. It sets universal, equal and non-discriminatory principles. People affected by a disaster can receive rescue, accommodation, humanitarian assistance and restoration measures according to the situation and available capacity. If local resources are insufficient, the matter can be escalated to the next administrative level. The system does not establish an automatic individual entitlement to a particular cash payment. Authorities and organisations are expected to maintain prevention, risk information, equipment, trained staff, exercises, reserves, relocation alternatives and operational readiness. Citizens and organisations are expected to cooperate, report relevant violations and follow lawful plans and instructions. Media organisations have responsibilities for warning and risk information. These rules do not create a general private duty to endanger oneself or a blanket promise that private travel, accommodation or rebuilding costs will be paid. Disaster financing can involve the Fundo de Gestão de Calamidades, partner assistance and insurance. These mechanisms support public or institutional risk financing and do not automatically provide each affected person with compensation. INGD emergency contacts listed in the current research are +258 85 952 74 16 and 21 477211/13; Linha Verde is 823441. Confirm contact details and local access arrangements before relying on them. INGD coordinates reconstruction after disasters through the Plano Director and annual contingency planning. Recovery should reduce future risk through hazard mapping, restrictions in dangerous areas, stronger infrastructure and safer territorial planning. After a disaster, displaced people may return, integrate locally or relocate, depending on the site and programme. Displacement caused by conflict or terrorism belongs primarily to the security and crime area, with disaster content covering only the transition where necessary.