The ceremony highlighted the Government’s commitment to rebuilding essential public infrastructure following the devastating floods that struck large parts of southern and central Mozambique in January 2026, leading to weeks of intense rainfall triggered widespread flooding across Gaza, Maputo, Sofala and neighbouring provinces, affecting more than 860,000 people. Over 180,000 homes were flooded, 676 schools were damaged, and critical road, water, and health systems were heavily disrupted.

Following the declaration of a national Red Alert on 16 January, UNDP and UN partners, including OCHA, UNICEF, IOM and UNFPA—supported rapid assessments, humanitarian access, and immediate lifesaving assistance.

“This crisis underscores Mozambique’s extreme vulnerability to repeated climate shocks and reinforces the urgency of building climate‑resilient systems,” said Edo Stork, UNDP Resident Representative.

President Chapo also reflected on the symbolic weight of Manga Secondary School within the local community: “We had the honour and duty of handing over the fully rehabilitated Manga Secondary School. An emblematic institution for the city of Beira — for its history, its size, and the role it has played in educating generations of Mozambicans spread across the world, across the African continent and throughout the country. This school carries within its walls memories that none of us will ever forget.”

Manga Secondary School, one of the largest educational institutions in Beira, will serve nearly 9,000 students. The school sustained extensive damage during Cyclone Idai, which destroyed roofs, classrooms, laboratories, and water and sanitation systems. The USD 4 million climate‑resilient rehabilitation programme included: 

• A fully reconstructed roof
• Reinforced walls, floors, doors and windows
• Upgraded electrical systems
• Improved water and sanitation infrastructure

These works were completed in coordination with Office for Post-Cyclone Reconstruction (GREPOC), engineering teams, supervising authorities and local partners. Recalling the transformation, President Chapo emphasised the symbolic significance of the reconstruction: “Today, as we hand over the fully rehabilitated Manga Secondary School, as we did this morning, we celebrate the victory of a resilient people over challenges and adversity. Where there was silence and rubble, the voices of students can once again be heard; where there were wounded walls and hearts in mourning, there now rise structures that protect the dreams for the future of our beautiful Mozambique.”

The rehabilitation works were implemented under the Mozambique Recovery Facility (MRF), established in 2019 after Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. With over USD 72 million mobilized from the European Union, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands, India, China, Norway and UNDP, the MRF has already benefited more than 588,000 people, reconstructing schools, health centres, markets, public buildings and homes in the most affected regions.

“The experience of the MRF continues to guide UNDP’s support to the 2026 national recovery planning process,” noted Edo Stork, UNDP Resident Representative.

The President expressed gratitude to Mozambique’s development partners for their role in restoring the school: “We would like to express our profound gratitude to the development partners present here — to UNDP and the United Nations — for the work carried out at Manga Secondary School!”

“With special recognition to the United Nations Development Programme whose support continues to transform lives and communities in Mozambique!”

UNDP Resident Representative Edo Stork added: “Today, we celebrate not only the reconstruction of a school, but the strength of our partnerships and the resilience of Mozambican communities. Together, we are helping build a stronger, safer, and more climate‑resilient Mozambique.”

Closing his remarks, President Chapo issued a heartfelt appeal to the community: “To our local communities, we make an appeal: these public infrastructures are the heritage of the Mozambican people, and caring for these schools is caring for the future of our children. May every classroom be preserved, every wall respected, and may these spaces be true sanctuaries of knowledge for our boys and girls, who are the future of this country.”

For more information, please contact: Manuel Mabuiangue manuel.mabuiangue@undp.org - Head of Strategic Partnerships & Communication