Floods in Mozambique Displace 74,000
16 February 2007
Worst flooding in years hits central provinces; Oxfam to respond with clean water and sanitation equipment to avert public health crisis.
Heavy rains in southern Africa are flooding river valleys in central Mozambique, inundating villages and fields and displacing 74,000 people, according to the United Nations. The government of Mozambique on February 13 reported that the rising waters had killed 29 people, and that 4,677 houses, 111 schools, four health centers, and 15,000 hectares (36,750 acres) of crops were destroyed. The government also stated that the floods have the potential to affect as many as 285,000 people who will need food and other aid for the coming three months.
It is still early in the rainy season in southern Africa, and weather forecasts predict more rains through the middle of March.
Oxfam is currently assessing needs of the affected areas, and is flying in equipment to provide clean water for 10,000 people as a first step to the emergency response. Clean water is an essential need for flooded areas, as water borne diseases like cholera (already hitting some areas of southern Africa) can kill many more people than the rising waters. Water and sanitation equipment being brought to the central coast of Mozambique will include water pumps, water containers, pipes, water treatment chemicals, mosquito bed nets, and personal hygiene kits that contain soap and other items to help displaced people keep clean and avoid diseases. Oxfam is also rushing 1,000 emergency kits to the affected areas from Inhambane province where they were pre-positioned to respond to just such an emergency.
The initial Oxfam response is anticipated to cost roughly 750,000 Euros (about $US 985,000). Oxfam America is contributing money to the inter-Oxfam humanitarian effort in Mozambique, and is assessing the emergency needs of on-going project activities funded through its Southern Africa Regional Office.
