The Government of Botswana has appealed to the public to provide in-kind assistance to Mozambique following devastating floods that have affected more than 600,000 people, even as some social media users seized the opportunity to criticise the government over persistent shortages of medicines at home.
In a press release issued on January 25, the government said Mozambique has been placed under a Red Alert after severe flooding caused widespread displacement and destruction of infrastructure. Authorities in Maputo have since issued an urgent call for international assistance.
Botswana expressed solidarity with its neighbour and urged individuals, companies and organisations to contribute non-perishable food items, toiletries, blankets, mattresses, clothing, water purification solutions and building materials. The appeal is strictly for in-kind donations, with no monetary contributions being accepted.
Donations will be received by the Botswana Red Cross Society in Gaborone between January 30 and February 8, 2026. Members of the public have been advised to ensure that all donated items are properly labelled. Further information can be obtained from the Red Cross Society during office hours.
“How can we donate toiletries and supplies when our own hospitals don’t even have basic medication?” one Facebook user wrote, while another said the appeal “highlights misplaced priorities in a country where patients are told to bring their own drugs.”
“The Government of Botswana thanks the public for supporting the relief efforts and for embodying the spirit of Botho in standing with flood-affected communities in Mozambique,” the statement said.
However, the appeal quickly sparked debate on social media, particularly Facebook, where some users questioned the government’s moral standing to call for humanitarian support while public health facilities in Botswana continue to struggle with shortages of essential medicines.
Several commenters accused the government of failing to guarantee the availability of drugs in state hospitals and clinics, arguing that citizens are frequently forced to buy medication from private pharmacies or go without treatment altogether.
“How can we donate toiletries and supplies when our own hospitals don’t even have basic medication?” one Facebook user wrote, while another said the appeal “highlights misplaced priorities in a country where patients are told to bring their own drugs.”
Others defended the appeal, arguing that humanitarian crises should not be politicised and that regional solidarity is a core value of the Southern African community.
The criticism comes amid growing public frustration over the state of Botswana’s health sector, following repeated reports of drug stock-outs, equipment shortages and staff constraints in public facilities.
