Mozambican President Calls for Disaster Prevention

O Mozambican President today advocated an increase in investment in disaster prevention and risk reduction, calling for increased mobilisation of climate finance and compliance with international commitments to support countries vulnerable to climate change.

“ We need to strengthen the system of warning, prepare communities, improve territorial planning, invest in resilient infrastructure and develop institutional capabilities that allow for anticipating risks, mobilizing resources and coordinating interventions before, during and after the calamities,” said Daniel Chapo during the opening of the First International Congress of Humanitarian Action and Cooperation in the city of Beira, Sofala province, center of the country.

The Head of State admitted that Mozambique remains particularly exposed to extreme natural phenomena, aggravated by climate change and pointed out that prevention should play a central role in the national strategy for disaster risk management.

“ Because prevention is protecting lives, preparing is reducing vulnerabilities and rebuilding with resilience is protecting our future,” he said.

According to the President, the government is currently mobilizing resources to finance a reconstruction plan associated with the recent floods that have affected the south of the country.

“ We are currently mobilising resources to finance a reconstruction plan budgeted at around 1.6 billion dollars [1.4 billion euros],” he explained.

Chapo also argued that the international community should pay more attention to the issue of climate justice: “One of the topics we would like to see discussed at this International Conference is climate justice and climate finance.”.

The Head of State also highlighted the role played by local risk and disaster management committees in protecting communities.

“ We, in Mozambique, our secret of success are the Local Committees for Risk and Calamity Management ", reiterated.

At the conference, the rector of the University of Licungo, Boaventura Aleixo, announced the creation of the International Network for Research and Humanitarian Action, a platform that aims to bring universities, research centers and institutions related to humanitarian action closer together and whose initial headquarters will be in Mozambique.

According to the responsible, the initiative will be the culmination of the work of the First International Congress of Humanitarian Action and Cooperation (CIAHC-2026) and aims to ensure the continuity of scientific and institutional cooperation beyond the event.

“The CIAHC-2026) is not only the first edition of a congress, but the starting point for an international and permanent process of research, training and humanitarian cooperation,” he said.

During the two days of the meeting, 85 scientific communications will be presented across six thematic areas, including disaster risk management, conflicts, population displacement, humanitarian funding and social inclusion, with the participation of ten countries.

In turn, the United Nations resident coordinator in Mozambique, Catherine Sozi, warned of the worsening of humanitarian needs in the country, pointing to the impact of climate change and insecurity in Cabo Delgado.

“ Humanitarian needs are increasing. Climate disasters are intensifying. The conflict and insecurity in northern Mozambique continue to cause displacement of communities,” he said.

According to her, the humanitarian resources available remain under pressure.

“ However, resources are increasingly limited,” he warned.

Mozambique is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, with regular floods, tropical cyclones and other extreme phenomena during the rainy season.