In response to the disaster, the Government of Mozambique mobilised all resources and personnel to mitigate the suffering of the victims. It immediately set in motion the prevention and response mechanisms contained in its contingency plan, prepared in partnership with the United Nations, donors and NGOs.

With the rise in the level of the Zambezi River, the government despatched a group of navy personnel to Zumbo and Mutarara to conduct the rescue and evacuation of people at risk. In addition, technicians posted by the maritime administration were operating in Mopeia and Caia, assisted by a navy platoon and sailors trained locally.

Given the impact of the floods on road communications, the government boosted the efforts of the Mozambique armed forces, which were operating with one military helicopter, by chartering commercial aircraft to transport humanitarian assistance. A second Mozambican military helicopter was later mobilised to serve the humanitarian operations. The rescue operations managed to move 8,000 people from areas at risk by 21 February.

The INGC sent food, shelter materials and other basic survival items to the affected areas and managed the co-ordinated response efforts.

The Mozambique Red Cross has been active throughout the affected areas, providing non-food relief and survival assistance and helping to manage the temporary accommodation centres, with over 300 volunteers. Red Cross assistance reached 133,000 people, accounting for some 60% of the displaced. To help in this effort, the Mozambique Red Cross received donations from the Red Cross/Crescent Societies of Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, as well as a donation from the Mozal Aluminium company in Maputo.

Both the Mozambique Red Cross and the INGC received numerous donations in cash and kind from individuals and organisations throughout the country.

On 21 February 2001, the Government of Mozambique issued an international appeal covering the requirement of emergency flood relief and rehabilitation. The appeal listed requirements for US$ 30 million for immediate relief and rehabilitation.