Mozambique humanitarian situation update: 4th April 2006Major developments Earthquakes: Three earth tremors were recorded in the central Mozambican province of Manica in March, affecting the same areas hit by the earthquake of 23 February. According to the National Center of Geology, the tremors measured between 4.2 and 5 on the Richter scale. On 17 March 2006, three minor earth tremors were recorded measuring between 4.2 and 4.8 on the Richter scale and on 19 March 2006 an additional earthquake was recoded measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale. The most recent aftershock on 22 March 2006, affecting the same epicenter and felt in Sofala and Maputo, measured 5 on the Richter scale. There are no reports of any casualties or damage caused by the tremors. The tremors were aftershocks of the February earthquake, resulting from readjustments of the tectonic plates under the earth's crust. Since the post-quake readjustment of the plates could take months, more aftershocks are likely to occur. Since the February earthquake, national authorities claim that about 1,000 people were affected by the consecutive earthquakes. There were five known fatalities, 28 people were injured and about 300 traditional homes and other structures built with traditional materials were destroyed. Cholera situation: Mozambique's cholera epidemic, confined in 2005 and the first months of 2006 to the central provinces of Sofala, Manica and Zambezia, has now reached Nampula, in the north of the country. The outbreak began in Nampula during the second week of March, in the districts of Malema, Monapo and Meconta with 177 cholera cases and eight deaths reported. It is believed that heavy rains in the region have contaminated wells with faecal matter, thus enabling the spread of the water borne disease. Sofala remains the province worst hit by cholera with 2,322 cases and eight deaths recorded. In Zambezia there have been 314 cases and in Manica 82. Deaths from cholera have not been reported from either of these provinces. Flood monitoring: The levels of the Zambezi River started to drop as of 20th March along its entire length, from the Zimbabwean border to the Indian Ocean, but the lower Zambezi remains above flood alert level (5 meters) at Caia (6.3 meters) and Mutarara (5.24 meters). Further downstream at Marromeu, where the flood alert level is 4.75 meters the river is 6.01 meters. The amount of water entering the Cahora Bassa Lake has declined substantially, allowing the management of the Cahora Bassa dam to cut the amount of water discharged into the Zambezi. Other major rivers’ levels are dropping, with the exception of the Save, at Vila Franca measuring 3.52 meters but still below the flood alert. It thus seems unlikely that there could be any further serious flooding during this rainy season, which is now coming to an end but the authorities keep monitoring the situation. African swine fever: The February outbreak of African swine fever has already killed around 4,000 animals. Authorities have reported 990 deaths of pigs from this disease in Barue and Sussundenga districts in Mainca province and 3,000 in Sofala province affecting the farming sector and debilitating the economy of dozens of households. There are concerns that other areas may be facing a similar situation, as farmers know little of the disease they do not channel information to the relevant bodies. Assessments Earthquake assessment: A field assessment was conducted on 17 March 2006 led by the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) in areas close to the epicentre in northern Gaza Province and southern Manica Province. Preliminary review of the immediate damage to infrastructure raised a concern regarding the impact of the earthquake on some of the larger infrastructures. Field monitoring mission: Multi-sectoral field monitoring missions led by INGC and composed of sectoral ministries and UN agencies were conducted during 15-17 March 2005 in drought affected provinces (Gaza, Maputo, Manica, Nampula, Tete, Sofala and Inhambane). The mission assessed the status of the current situation and ongoing mitigation activities. Preliminary results show that with the hunger season setting in the food security is likely to further deteriorate unless interventions continue in areas of nutrition, food aid, and water and sanitation in the areas affected by drought. UNICEF Response Health and Nutrition: The different activities of the integrated nutrition and health programme (INHP) led by the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, WFP and local NGOs are still ongoing in 18 drought-affected districts in the provinces of Tete, Manica, Sofala, Gaza and Maputo. Microplanning and training sessions for trainers, health workers and NGO partners were concluded and the 18 districts began the process of screening for malnourished children targeting 10,000. In the first three weeks of March for which data is available, 15,404 children were screened, 1,281 were identified to be moderately malnourished and requiring supplementary feeding and 8,608 received deworming tablets and Vitamin A supplements. UNICEF has been conducting supervisory visits to the provinces to follow up on the INHP, and WFP is currently revising its contracts with NGO partners to include the CSB for the INHP. Under the cholera response, financial support was provided to Niassa province for cholera refresher training for 27 clinical staff, and similar support will be provided for Nampula province. Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion: Government and UNICEF WSHP team participated in supervision field missions to review progress implementation, identify constraints and take corrective actions. As a results of these missions and based on the request from the local authorities, the planned water trucking interventions for Tete and Inhambane provinces have been replaced by the rehabilitation of additional water points - in the same drought affected areas - in view of seeking long term solutions. Among the identified constraints were the shortage of the hand pumps provided by the suppliers and difficulties to access a few of the rural areas. UNICEF continues to support the sector through providing access to safe water to 87,000 people in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Sofala, Zambézia and Tete provinces through rehabilitation and construction of 148 water points (of which 34% is completed). As part of the cholera response, 8 water points were rehabilitated and 1,200 emergency latrines were constructed in Buzi and Marromeu with support from the local communities. These activities are complemented with hygiene promotion activities. Immediate assistance amounting to $80,000 was also provided to Beira municipality after a number of areas were flooded due to the heavy rain in February. To date, 2 kilometres of drainage channels have been cleaned, out of a total of 6 kilometres. Education: UNICEF supported INGC and the Ministry of Education to establish eight temporary learning facilities for around 4,000 children in Machaze and Mussorize to replace the schools which were destroyed in the earthquake. Both districts, under the coordination of the Provincial Directorates of Education and Culture in Manica and Sofala, are being provided with 40 tents and education materials for learners and teachers. Protection: 220 humanitarian workers were trained by UNICEF and WFP in the prevention of sexual exploitation abuse in the work place in the in Maputo, Chokwe, Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Beira and Chimoio Programme Communication: A social mobilisation and communication campaign for Cholera prevention is supported by UNICEF and national partners in affected areas of Zambezia and Sofala Provinces. The campaign includes radio broadcasts, mobile unit activities and community theatre plays. UNICEF and UNDP continue to support INGC through providing technical assistance to develop a communication strategy. A Communication strategy on Avian Influenza was developed with counterparts and incorporated in UNICEF AI Contingency Plan.The plan’s focus is on behaviour change to reduce risks to communities and households.
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