Zimbabwe has dispatched a consignment of humanitarian aid to Malawi to assist tens of thousands of people displaced by flash floods that have swept across large parts of the country, officials said.
The aid was formally handed over in Harare to Malawi’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Peter Namathanga, during a ceremony attended by Vice President Kembo Mohadi and senior government officials.
Malawi has been grappling with heavy rains that triggered flooding in several regions, destroying homes, damaging crops and forcing families to flee to higher ground. Authorities say the floods have worsened existing food insecurity and humanitarian pressures in the southern African nation.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mohadi said Zimbabwe’s response was motivated by humanitarian concerns as well as the close historical and social ties between the two countries.
“Our response today is guided not only by humanitarian considerations, but also by the deep historical, cultural and social ties that bind Zimbabwe and Malawi,” he said. “Our two countries share a common colonial past and a long history of people-to-people interaction.”
He said regional solidarity was essential as southern Africa faces increasingly frequent climate-related disasters, including floods and droughts linked to extreme weather patterns.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, said the assistance reflected the country’s commitment to Pan-African values and collective resilience.
“Our Constitution enshrines the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Our destiny as a nation is linked to the strength of our neighbours,” Murwira said. He added that the government had established a dedicated humanitarian assistance mechanism to support regional partners during emergencies.
Malawi’s ambassador welcomed the support, describing it as timely as the country struggles to cope with overlapping climate and economic challenges.
“The humanitarian donation for flood victims comes at a critical time for Malawi,” Namathanga said. “We are dealing with the impacts of climate change and economic constraints. Your support will go a long way in helping us feed our people and mitigate the effects of flooding and food insecurity.”
According to Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs, more than 32,000 people have been affected by the floods, with thousands displaced and in urgent need of food, shelter and medical assistance. Several districts have reported damage to roads, bridges and schools, complicating relief efforts.
Malawi is one of the countries in southern Africa most vulnerable to climate shocks. In recent years, it has been hit repeatedly by cyclones, floods and droughts that have strained public finances and humanitarian response systems.
Aid agencies warn that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe across the region, placing additional pressure on governments already facing economic headwinds, high food prices and debt challenges.
Zimbabwe itself has faced recurrent climate-related shocks, including droughts that have reduced agricultural output and contributed to food insecurity. Despite its own economic constraints, Harare has sought to position itself as an active contributor to regional cooperation and disaster response.
Analysts say such gestures of solidarity reflect growing recognition among southern African states that climate risks do not respect national borders and require coordinated responses.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has repeatedly called for greater regional collaboration to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems and emergency response mechanisms.
As relief efforts continue in Malawi, authorities have appealed for further international assistance to help affected communities recover and rebuild livelihoods, particularly as the rainy season is expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Zimbabwe’s aid delivery underscores the close diplomatic and social links between the two neighbours and highlights the role of regional solidarity as southern Africa confronts the mounting impacts of climate change.
