Mozambique is facing one of its most severe flooding crises in recent history, prompting immediate search, rescue, and disaster assessment operations using advanced drone technology financed and supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund and its partners. Government-trained teams, with technical support from Korean experts, are deploying drones equipped with cameras to capture real-time images of affected areas. These drones use AI to identify people in need of rescue, map damaged infrastructure, and stream live video to emergency command centres. The aerial images are converted into digital maps that guide rescue teams, assess damage, and monitor high-risk zones.
The drone operations are part of the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project, launched in April 2025 by the AfDB, the government of Mozambique, and Busan Techno Park (BTP). The project established a drone training centre in Mozambique and set up drone-based monitoring and emergency response in five flood-prone zones. Although this emergency intervention was initially scheduled to begin in March 2026, the government requested its early deployment in response to the current floods.
The response team, consisting of government officials and Korean experts, began missions in Gaza Province, focusing on districts such as Chókwè and Guijá, where communities were stranded due to severe flooding. The crisis has affected 692,522 people, claimed 12 lives, and damaged 1,336 km of roads, forcing authorities to postpone the school year. More than 34,000 livestock have perished, and over 100,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed, raising concerns about a potential food-security crisis. Xai-Xai, the provincial capital, is largely submerged, and many areas are inaccessible to ground rescue teams.
High-level coordination meetings on January 26, 2026, brought together Mozambican officials, AfDB representatives, and Korean specialists to activate drone missions. The initiative provided nine drones, including training and operational units, enabling the government to monitor high-risk areas effectively. Twenty Mozambicans, including disaster agency staff and security forces, have completed drone training and are now conducting missions alongside Korean specialists.
Officials highlighted the transformative potential of drone technology in disaster response. Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Américo Muchanga, emphasized that the initiative is a pivotal step toward developing a skilled national workforce capable of leading disaster response autonomously. Rômulo Corrêa, AfDB Resident Representative in Mozambique, noted that the deployment delivers real-time data that shortens response times and connects isolated communities with urgent assistance, while also strengthening long-term resilience to future disasters.
Drone-based operations allow for faster, safer, and more efficient rescue missions. They can reach flooded or inaccessible areas, provide aerial imagery to prioritize rescue efforts, plan access routes, and coordinate with authorities. Additionally, they support recovery efforts by identifying damaged infrastructure and monitoring evolving risks.
This deployment marks a significant shift in Mozambique’s approach to climate-driven emergencies by integrating advanced technology with local expertise. Through this partnership, the AfDB and the Mozambique government are not only responding to the current crisis but also institutionalizing resilience, equipping the country with the tools and foresight to safeguard its people, economy, and future against future disasters.
