Securing Safe Water in the Wake of Devastating Floods in Guijá, Mozambique

For more than a month, thousands of families in Guijá District were left without reliable access to safe drinking water after devastating floods destroyed critical infrastructure, including the electricity network that powered local water systems. With electric pumps out of service, entire communities were forced to search for alternative ways to meet one of their most basic needs.

For some, there was no option but to fetch water from ponds and rivers, despite the health risks involved. Others relied on the few hand pumps that remained operational, but the overwhelming demand far exceeded their capacity, leaving many families struggling to access safe water.

"At the peak of the floods, we went for more than a month without water running from our taps because there was no electricity. The situation could have been far worse had we not been able to rely on hand pumps, but the entire community depended on the same source," recalls Gabriel, a community leader, reflecting on the hardship endured by local residents.

To address this challenge, generators have been delivered to strengthen local water supply systems as part of the humanitarian response project funded by the Mozambique Humanitarian Fund. The intervention will ensure a continuous supply of safe water for more than 2,000 families, even during power outages.

With the installation of the generators, the water systems now have an alternative source of power, strengthening the communities' ability to withstand future climate-related shocks and ensuring that access to safe water is maintained during times of crisis.

For the District Administrator of Guijá, the initiative is not only a response to the current emergency but also an investment in the long-term resilience of local communities.

"These generators will guarantee the independence of the water systems from the public electricity grid, even in the event of future extreme weather conditions. Access to water will no longer be a challenge for these communities," he said.

Beyond its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, the project also delivers food assistance and child protection services, helping communities in the flood-affected districts of Guijá and Mabalane, Gaza Province, to recover and build resilience against future shocks.