Mozambique humanitarian situation update: 3rd March 2006
Major developments
An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Mozambique at 12:19 am (local time) on Thursday 23 February 2006. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake epicentre was located 224 km southwest of the main port in Beira, central Mozambique. It was felt as far away as Durban, on the South African coast, and Harare, in central Zimbabwe. The earthquake, which occurred near the southern end of the East African rift system, is believed to have been one of the largest in the region since 1900.
Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, limited damage and casualties occurred. The largest aftershock affecting the same epicentre measured 1.7 Richter, which is below the "very minor" classification seismologists use to describe earthquakes.
Assessments
Multi-sectoral assessments led by the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) in areas close to the epicentre (northern Gaza province and southern Manica province) were conducted in the days following the earthquake. Final report was submitted to the Government.
Findings of the final report
Districts
Mussorize Machaze Chimoio Beira Total
Killed 0 4 1 0 5
Injured 2 27 3 4 36
Houses destroyed 42 242 4 0 288
Schools destroyed 1 5 0 0 6
Water infrastructure 0 2 0 0 2
Response
In collaboration with the Government, the UN family in Mozambique, including OCHA, UNICEF and WFP have identified a series of short-term and long term interventions.
Immediate interventions
- Construct one water tank in Machaze.
- Support INGC to develop a communication strategy including a dissemination plan of earthquake early warning messages.
- Provide food aid to affected areas of Machaze and Mussorize.
- Construct or rebuild public infrastructure, such as schools and private houses using norms adapted to earthquake conditions.
- Update the national Contingency Plan and UN Emergency Response Preparedness Plan 2006, ensuring the incorporation of earthquake hazard and a component on air operations.
Long-term interventions
- Provide technical guidance and training for the government on disaster management and other relevant topics such as how to coordinate operations following an earthquake.
- Co-ordinate with OCHA Regional Office in Johannesburg to organize an in-country self-assessment for natural disaster preparedness during the first week of April to identify short and long term interventions.
- Consider the establishment of a national civil protection service, as well as the training of armed forces in civil protection activities.
- Provide technical support to the National Directorate of Geology with particular focus on seismographic networks in order to strengthen early warning systems.
- Promote community-based disaster preparedness initiatives in areas prone to disasters, drawing on the example of Buzi District where an exemplary community-based cyclone and flooding preparedness has been piloted.
- Ensure in-country standing capacity to mobilise aircrafts in case of an emergency.
