“My niece gave birth in the water on top of desks.” Women forced to give birth in shelters after Mozambique flooding
In the aftermath of deadly flooding that left over 100 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced in Mozambique, ActionAid has heard harrowing experiences of women giving birth and raising newborn babies in crowded shelters.
Carolina Domingos was heavily pregnant when she was evacuated from her flooded home, with roads cut off and health centres overwhelmed, she gave birth inside a shelter, supported by those around her. Carolina describes the difficulty of giving birth and living with her baby in a shelter.
“I arrived on the 19th of January, slept, and [the day after] I gave birth right here. There isn’t much [in the shelter]; what I feel is the difficulty of having given birth here because of the flooding.”
She appealed for humanitarian support, “It’s hard to be in a place with a lot of people with a newborn; it’s not easy. [We need] clothes, disposable items, and food.”
Crimilda Armando Machel, 24, from Buna, is pregnant and recounts how they waited on rooftops for three days for rescue boats to arrive. Her family lost everything and they are now relying on humanitarian aid.
She said, “I was sitting at home when the waters started to rise. I tried to wash the dishes, but it wasn’t possible because the water was up to my shoulders. We climbed on top of houses. We waited about three days for boats to come and take us. We left home with nothing, without plates or blankets.”
“I would like my baby to be born in better conditions. We ask for help. I am pregnant and will give birth soon. We ask for help in whatever way possible; we do not work here. We ask for clothing so the baby will not lack anything if I give birth here.”
France Antonio Tsukani, from Josina Machel Island, describes how his niece gave birth in a shelter.
“These floods have placed many challenges on us; I had my niece who was pregnant and gave birth in the water on top of the desks (in the shelter).”
Another expecting mother, Edna Zacarias Vilanculo, 26, from Buna, describes ongoing anxiety about her health.
“The concern I have is that I am sick. The hospital we have here [only offers] first aid. When we get seriously ill, they take us to Manhiça and bring us back.”
Pregnant and displaced, Edna urgently appealed for safe shelter, proper healthcare, and support so she can give birth in secure conditions and give her baby a healthier future.
“My concern is to have a good place and to get help for my baby to be well.”
Interim Executive Director of ActionAid Mozambique, Marcia Cossa, said:
“The needs are immense; entire communities have lost everything. No woman should be forced to give birth in unsafe, undignified conditions. We must act collectively to ensure mothers and babies receive the care and protection they deserve.”
Cossa urged the government of Mozambique to strengthen disaster responses and called on the private sector and international community to better coordinate their efforts.
“Mozambique faces major financial and logistical hurdles but protecting women and children must be a priority. Plans must translate into action, with resources reaching those who need them most,” she added.
ActionAid Mozambique is distributing food, hygiene kits and period products to support the survivors of the floods and has launched an appeal to provide immediate relief and support longer-term recovery efforts for the most vulnerable communities.
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Marcia is available for media interviews. She speaks Portuguese and English. Contact the press office at media-enquiries@actionaid.org.
Notes to Editors:
- Full content is available here: https://stories.actionaid.org?c=70442&k=58208b8b84
- ActionAid has launched an urgent appeal for the Mozambique floods, which is accessible here.