Malawi and Mozambique have secured over US$22.3 million within seven business days to support urgent flood response operations affecting hundreds of thousands across both countries.
The Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Program disbursed the emergency funds to enable governments to mobilize immediate relief. The rapid financing allows authorities to purchase life-saving supplies without waiting for lengthy damage assessments or delayed resource mobilization.
Recent flooding has claimed at least 115 lives across the two southern African nations. The continuous heavy rainfall over the past two months has displaced tens of thousands of people and damaged critical infrastructure throughout both countries. Mozambique faced additional challenges from strong winds, wildfires, and a cholera outbreak complicating relief efforts.
Malawi triggered an activation request of USD2.375 million after floods in Nkhotakota District and surrounding areas directly affected over 49,000 people in late December 2025. The disaster claimed 12 victims and forced 2,132 families into temporary camps hosted in schools, churches, and a health centre.
Mozambique requested USD20 million following devastation in Maputo, Gaza, and Sofala provinces. Flooding has partially or totally destroyed over 15,000 homes, directly impacting more than 231,000 people. The death toll reached 112, while 2,145 cholera cases were declared in Zambezia and Nampula provinces.
“In times of crisis, rapid support can make the difference between a shock and a humanitarian emergency,” said David Maslo, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd., which implements the program. He emphasized that the seven-day disbursement ensures critical funding reaches governments quickly so relief can be mobilized before conditions deteriorate.
The funds will purchase essential supplies including food and medical kits, water storage and sanitation equipment, and emergency shelter items. Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) coordinates the country’s response with support from the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), one of REPAIR’s pre-identified delivery channels.
In Mozambique, the National Institute of Disaster Risk Management (INGD) leads national operations. The agency works with the National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation and Ministry of Health to deliver food, safe water, sanitation, and medicines to affected populations. However, damage to the N1 national highway prevents movement of people and goods across the country, hampering relief efforts.
Eastern and Southern Africa remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. The speed of these fund activations highlights the value of pre-arranged financing instruments designed to ensure response efforts aren’t delayed by emergency resource mobilization.
“REPAIR is committed to strengthening not only the financial preparedness of its participating countries, but also their operational readiness,” explained Caroline Cerruti, World Bank Lead Financial Sector Specialist and REPAIR Regional Lead. She noted that current activations benefited from lessons learned last year and from crisis simulation exercises enabling Ministries of Finance to activate the program promptly and move funds swiftly to affected communities.
These represent the program’s third and fourth disbursements since its creation in July 2024. REPAIR previously supported relief and recovery efforts in Comoros and Mozambique following cyclones Chido and Jude, respectively.
Malawi recently joined REPAIR as part of Phase 2, alongside Angola, Burundi, Seychelles, and Zambia. Phase 1 comprises Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique. The World Bank program receives financial support from the Global Shield Financing Facility (GSFF).
A central component involves establishing a Regional Climate Risk Fund with an envelope of up to USD926 million. The fund aims to increase climate resilience among participating countries by supporting timely and scalable responses to natural shocks based on their severity. Peer-to-peer learning between countries creates a regional disaster risk finance ecosystem, enhancing climate resilience in a region highly susceptible to natural disasters.
