Maputo, Feb. 2, 2026 (Lusa) - Spanish cooperation on Monday provided Mozambique with water purification equipment expected to supply more than 15,000 people per day, including other support, in light of the "challenging situation" caused by flooding in the country.
"These are humanitarian kits, which include tarpaulins, food and medical aid," to help improve the situation "of people who are suffering," Spain's ambassador to Mozambique, Teresa Orjales, told journalists in Maputo, speaking on the sidelines of the presentation of humanitarian aid to Mozambique's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria Lucas, who had just arrived in the country.
The second component is a unit to supply drinking water, with the capacity to purify more than 220,000 litres per day and provide aid to more than 15,000 people daily, for hygiene and consumption.
According to Teresa Orjales, the aid is accompanied by a team of 16 volunteers, qualified technicians, some of whom have already been sent to Gaza province, the most affected by the floods that have affected more than 720,000 people across the country since January, to guide the installation of the machine and facilitate the distribution of water, an activity guided by the United Nations Children's Fund.
The diplomat explained that the humanitarian aid was sent from Spain under the European Emergency Mechanism, as the "ultimate manifestation of the unwavering commitment" of the European Union (EU) at this "challenging time" in Mozambique, facilitated by the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation (AECID).
On the occasion, the head of Mozambican diplomacy praised Spain's support, while also acknowledging the "difficult time" in the European country following a train accident that left several people dead and injured.
"They brought equipment here that will help our people (...). So we can thank Spain for this support, because even though they are going through a difficult time right now, with a train accident that killed about 40 people, they still mobilised to support Mozambique at this time of mourning," said Maria Lucas, acknowledging that the purification unit will help control waterborne diseases, which could worsen with the floods.
The EU ambassador to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore, also recalled the European Union's aid of a further €2 million, announced today, bringing the total amount donated to Mozambique in response to the bad weather to €3 million, a gesture welcomed by Mozambique's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
According to information from AECID, the purification unit, called the “Aquastart” module, aims to "respond to the emergency" in Mozambique, where some water supply stations have been damaged.
The aid includes 200 shelter tool kits, 1,200 tarpaulins, 8,000 foldable 10-litre jerry cans, 714 family hygiene kits and 120 family geodesic tents, considered essential materials to meet immediate needs for shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, with a total value of €106,058.15, according to the AECID statement.
It also states that the aid will meet the basic needs of up to 56,170 people, with priority given to vulnerable families affected by the floods, providing temporary shelter, safe water storage and minimum hygiene conditions, "in a context of high health risk".
Since the beginning of the rainy season in October, including the January floods, there have been 146 deaths, 148 injuries and 844,295 people affected, according to data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD).
VIYS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
