We all know how the damage that that the southern African country of Mozambique has suffered at the hands of tropical cyclones in recent years.

Which is why the government has decided to be proactive about it.

Well; not proactive as in they will stop the cyclones from happening, but they can be better prepared for them.

The government of Mozambique, alongside the African Development Bank and South Korea’s Busan Technopark government agency have launched an innovative drone-driven initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness in the country, to help it prepare for the frequent by floods, mudslides, cyclones, and other weather-related crises.

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Launched in Maputo on April 3 this year, the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project will establish a drone training centre in Mozambique to train 30 professionals, including ten instructors, as well as implement a drone-based monitoring and response system across five high-risk flood zones.

It is expected that the project will improve real-time disaster monitoring, early warning systems, and predictive flood modelling, helping Mozambique better anticipate and mitigate climate-related disasters.

“We warmly welcome the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project as an innovative initiative that harnesses cutting-edge technology to strengthen our disaster preparedness and response,” said Mozambique’s Minister of Communication and Digital Transformation, Muchanga Américo.

“This is just the beginning.”

During the six-month period, there will be technology and knowledge transfer, enabling the Mozambican team to take ownership of the drone solution and become autonomous for a period of three years if supplier agreements are concluded.

The African Development Bank manages the $967,000 initiative, which was funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund.

“This project is not just about technology,” he said.

“It reflects the power of international cooperation, uniting governments, development institutions, and private sector partners in a shared mission: to protect lives, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable development.”

Korea’s Busan Techno Park, known for its expertise in technological innovation and disaster management, will implement the project over six months, with the intention of evolving into a centre of excellence and regional hub.

African Development Bank Country Economist, Flavio da Gama emphasized how the project will harness innovation to protect communities and infrastructure.

“Drones provide critical data for flood management,” said Changmoon Yang, Managing Director of Busan Technopark. “This project will showcase how technology can save lives.”

The Korean ambassador to Mozambique, Bokwon Kang, said the country looked forward to further cooperation with the African Development Bank and Mozambique in digital innovation.

Mozambique is one of the most disaster-prone in Africa, with floods and cyclones alone causing severe destruction to infrastructure, agriculture, and communities.

The latest disaster to hit was from Tropical Cyclone Jude, which made landfall in Mozambique’s Nampula province on 10 March 2025, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

According to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), by the time the cyclone subsided, it had affected 375,214 people and damaged 81,149 houses.

Severe flooding and extensive infrastructure damage have also been reported in Nampula and Zambezia provinces this year, further exacerbating vulnerabilities in communities already struggling with food insecurity, displacement, and limited access to essential services.

This cyclone season has been particularly severe, with Nampula and Zambezia previously hit by Tropical Cyclones Chido (December 2024) and Dikeledi (January 2025), which collectively affected approximately 684,000 people.

In addition to displacement concerns, health risks are rising. According to the latest cholera bulletin, 56 cholera cases have been reported in severely affected Nampula province as of 14 March 2025.