Rwanda has delivered 20 tons of food and medical supplies to Mozambique as the country struggles to respond to severe flooding that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and damaged critical infrastructure.
The humanitarian assistance was transported aboard a RwandAir aircraft that departed Kigali on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Rwandan authorities said additional aid shipments are expected in the coming days as the situation on the ground continues to evolve.
Mozambique has been hit by weeks of unusually heavy rainfall, triggering floods that submerged vast areas of land. Officials estimate that floodwaters have covered about 10,000 square kilometers, destroying roads, bridges and public facilities while severely disrupting agricultural production. Nearly 500,000 people in the country’s southern provinces alone have been affected.
The impact of the flooding has been worsened by Mozambique’s geography. The country lies downstream of major river systems that collect runoff from neighboring nations, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Malawi, before flowing into the Indian Ocean. Heavy rainfall across the region has caused rivers to swell beyond capacity.
This year, the Limpopo River overflowed its banks for the first time since 2021, sweeping away homes, livestock and crops. In Maputo Province, damaged bridges and submerged toll stations have limited transportation and access to basic services.
Floodwaters have also inundated hospitals and schools, forcing health workers to provide emergency care from temporary and mobile clinics. Authorities warn that people remaining in affected areas face growing risks of malnutrition and waterborne diseases.
Rwanda and Mozambique have maintained diplomatic relations since 1990, with cooperation deepening over the past decade. In 2018, the two countries established a joint commission to strengthen bilateral ties.
Since July 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican security forces have worked together to counter extremist violence in Cabo Delgado Province. Joint operations helped restore stability, allowing displaced residents to return home and basic services to resume.
In August 2025, the two governments renewed cooperation agreements on investment and counterterrorism, underscoring what leaders from both countries have described as a strong and enduring partnership.
