Xai-Xai, 3 Jul (AIM) – The Mozambican Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael on Thursday launched, in Xai-xai city, southern province of Gaza, the emergency works aimed at rehabilitating reservoirs and dams in the Limpopo, Incomáti, and Búzi rivers.
This intervention aims to reduce the country’s vulnerability to floods, following a rainy and cyclonic season that affected more than 900,000 people.
According to the minister, the initiative marks the transition from emergency response to a resilient reconstruction phase, following the extreme weather events of the 2025/2026 season, which caused damage to houses, schools, health facilities, water supply systems, agricultural areas, and various social and economic infrastructures.
The works, budgeted at 990 million meticais (about 15.5 million US dollars at the current exchange rate), are funded by the World Bank, through the Contingent Emergency Response Mechanism (CERC), and cover the Xai-Xai reservoir in Lower Limpopo, Incomati, as well as Massingir and Macarretane dams, in Gaza province. It also includes Búzi river, in the central province of Sofala.
The minister explained that with this measure, the government intends to restore critical infrastructure, restore essential services and security to the affected populations.
With the interventions completed, the government expects to reinforce the protection of approximately 930,000 people and 120,000 hectares of agricultural land in the country’s main vulnerable areas.
“In the Lower Limpopo, protection for 150,000 people and 20,000 hectares. Incomáti, 100,000 people and 10,000 hectares. Búzi, 180,000 people and 30,000 hectares. Massingir and Macarretane, approximately 500,000 people and 60,000 hectares,” said the minister.
In addition to protecting the population, the government hopes to significantly reduce the risk of new floods, preserve agricultural areas, protect public infrastructure, and strengthen the communities’ capacity to respond to extreme weather events.
“A reservoir is not just earth, stone or concrete, it is protection, security and organized community life”, he said.
Am/
