In the City of Maputo, more than three thousand people are in reception centres because of the urban flooding that has struck the area. These 21 centres still open are the temporary home of many families, some of whom have been there for two years, awaiting definitive resettlement.
The heavy rains between 2023 and 2024 forced numerous families to seek refuge in these centres. Although conditions are described as reasonable, with access to food, washing facilities and somewhere to sleep, many point out that nothing compares to the comfort and security of one's own home. Fernando Mandlate, one of those displaced, shared his story of forced displacement after his house was flooded.
Besides the hardships caused by the rains, the families face daily challenges, including exposure to disease. The concern is heightened by the deterioration of the tents that serve as shelter, increasing the risk of health problems, as illustrated by reports of symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting among those housed.
Resettlement is one of the main demands of the residents of the reception centres, who are asking not just for a plot of land but for adequate housing that reflects the conditions of their former homes. Despite the country training more than 300 doctors a year, placing these professionals in the areas where they are most needed still presents serious logistical and bureaucratic challenges.
Lucréncia Muchanga, a student who is among the displaced, expressed additional concerns about the proximity of schools to the possible new resettlement sites, stressing the importance of ensuring that the education of the affected children continues.
The resettlement of the 863 families (3,141 people) spread across the centres in different municipal districts of Maputo remains undefined. The National Disaster Management Institute (INGD) indicated that the centres will remain open until safe resettlement is achieved, as attempts to drain the flooded areas have been fruitless.
