Mozambique: Addressing Southern Africa climate shocks: Advocating for Child-Centred Climate Resilience and Fiscal Prioritization

Countries: Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe Sources: ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages International, Terre des hommes, World Vision Please refer to the attached file. Joint Statement by East and Southern Africa Joining Forces Alliance The Context: A Region Under Siege Southern Africa is currently grappling with a "polycrisis" where extreme weather events, historically considered generational have become annual occurrences. From the devastating floods in Mozambique and Zimbabwe in early 2026 to the persistent agricultural droughts across the Limpopo Basin, the region is a frontline victim of a 1.3°C warmer world. Recent data from the University of Johannesburg (2026) indicates that agricultural drought is now the single greatest predictor of severe acute malnutrition in children, with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) being hit hardest due to the lack of "parental buffers." Despite this, we are witnessing a disturbing trend of financial (government allocations and donor) de-prioritization. International climate finance often gravitates toward high-profile mitigation projects in high-income nations, leaving the urgent, life-saving adaptation needs of Southern Africa’s children under-funded and overlooked**.** Current Climate Shocks The region has shifted from the severe El Niño-induced drought of 2023-2024 to intense La Niña-driven floods and cyclones in 2025-2026, affecting nearly 1.9 million people by mid-February 2026. Heavy rainfall has caused flash floods, displacing communities, destroying homes, and damaging critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities. Concurrently, persistent droughts have exacerbated food insecurity, with crop losses ...

Original source: Relief Web