Back-to-back flooding in Mozambique has affected more than 720,000 people this year, over half of them children.
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE, 23 February 2026 – Nearly 230,000 children in Mozambique have been cut off from education so far this year after the worst flooding in decades damaged hundreds of schools, homes, and roads, Save the Children said.
Exceptionally heavy rainfall that began in late December caused widespread, severe flooding across southern Mozambique in January, triggering a rapidly escalating emergency just as the country entered its annual cyclone season. The devastation deepened in mid-February when Tropical Cyclone Gezani brought more torrential rainfall and winds of up to 215 km/h.
The back-to-back flooding has affected more than 720,000 people this year, over half of them children.
More than 430 schools have been affected by the flooding, with more than 840 classrooms completely destroyed by powerful winds and floodwaters. Damage to roads has prevented teachers and students from reaching classrooms. Other schools have been used to shelter displaced families.
Students are expected to go back to school this Friday after flooding postponed the start of the school year from 31 January, but some schools still require major repairs, cleaning, and disinfection, so it is unclear if all students will be able to return.
Families who were already struggling now face increased economic hardship due to the flooding impacting livelihoods, leaving many unable to afford school, raising the risk of long-term learning loss and permanent dropout.
Ilaria Manunza, Country Director of Save the Children in Mozambique, said:
"Children in southern Mozambique are once again on the front lines of the climate crisis. Back-to-back flooding has destroyed their schools and robbed them of their education, putting their futures at risk and the cyclone season has just begun. Thousands of children and families are already reeling from previous cyclones and climate emergencies, and the latest floods have laid waste to roads, health facilities, and other critical infrastructure.
"Save the Children is one of only two international organisations supporting education in the affected areas. Education must not be another casualty of climate disasters — urgent action is needed to get children back into safe classrooms. We will remain on the ground until every child can safely return to school."
Save the Children is supporting children out of school by running education activities in safe spaces, including temporary accommodation centres and 20 schools in Gaza Province. The child rights organisation is also training teachers to deliver structured, play-based learning reinforced by primary school textbooks to support learning and emotional well-being.
Save the Children is calling on the international community to make education in emergencies a core part of the humanitarian response, ensuring children affected by floods and cyclones can continue learning, and to invest in disaster-resilient education systems.
Save the Children has operated in Mozambique since 1986. The organisation responds to major emergencies, including floods, cyclones, droughts and conflict‑related displacement—and delivers programmes in child protection, education, health and nutrition, WASH and food security, while strengthening local leadership through partnerships.
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