Catastrophic floods and landslides have swept across western and central Angola since late March 2026, killing at least 71 people, displacing 76,000, and affecting more than 220,000 residents. The disaster has overwhelmed local response capacity and prompted an international humanitarian mobilization as the rainy season continues.
How the Crisis Unfolded
Persistent heavy rainfall beginning in late March triggered initial flooding across Angola's southern and central provinces. The situation escalated sharply between April 4 and 6 when intense downpours caused flash floods and landslides in Luanda, Benguela, Cuanza Sul, and Malanje. By mid-April, at least 45 people had been confirmed dead — 26 in Benguela, 13 in Luanda, four in Cuanza Sul, and two in Malanje — with the toll continuing to climb.
The crisis reached a new level on April 13–14 when a protective dike along the Cavaco River between Calomanga and Seta collapsed, unleashing devastating floodwaters across Benguela Province. By April 25, the confirmed death toll across all affected provinces had risen to at least 71, with several people still missing.
Scale of Destruction
The floods have destroyed 607 homes outright and submerged more than 9,500 others, leaving tens of thousands without shelter. An estimated 220,000 people have been affected across multiple provinces, with 76,000 displaced from their homes. Damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure has cut off communities from essential services. Contaminated floodwaters pose growing risks of waterborne disease, and urgent needs remain for shelter, clean water, food, and medical care.
Humanitarian Response
The American Red Cross is supporting the response through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which launched a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operation to support the Angolan Red Cross. Teams on the ground are conducting damage assessments, distributing emergency relief supplies, and providing shelter and psychosocial support to displaced families. The Angolan Red Cross has been training affected communities on shelter construction to help displaced people rebuild.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing shelter and non-food assistance to 10,000 of the most vulnerable flood victims. UNICEF, USAID, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are conducting joint assessments in the hardest-hit areas to identify the most urgent needs and coordinate the delivery of life-saving assistance.
How You Can Help
The Angola Floods & Landslides disaster page on the Relief Directory provides direct links to donate to organizations actively responding on the ground. With the rainy season still underway, continued support is critical to help affected communities recover.
