2007 Floods: Mozambique humanitarian situation update, 16-17 February
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© UNICEF Mozambique/Thierry Delvigne-Jean |
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People displaced by the floods arrive at Chupanga camp, near the near the town of Caia, where some three thousand people have sought refuge from severe floods in central Mozambique. February 2007 |
Major Developments
The Cahora Bassa dam discharge rate remained stable at 5,500 m3/s as of 16 February. The water levels in Zumbo and Tete continue to increase as a result of additional inflows from the main tributary rivers: Revúbuè, Aruânga and Luia. Further downstream, the levels in Mutarara, Caia and Marromeu are also rising, as a result of rainfall registered over the last 24 hours.
Over the next 48 hours, light to moderate rains are predicted within the central and northern zones of Mozambique and in Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi.
As of 16 February, the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) estimates that approximately 86,399 people have been displaced due to the floods. An estimated 37,204 people are currently in the accommodation centres and 49,195 in the resettlement centres that were established after the 2001 floods.
Needs Assessment
The UNICEF team based in Quelimane City (Zambezia province) is continuing to meet with Government and non-governmental partners and undertaking visits to the accommodation centres. Priority needs identified include 500 latrine slabs, 6,000 jerry cans, 10 boxes of chlorine, 200 plastic sheets, 8,000 mosquito nets and 6,000 soap bars. UNICEF is liaising with the authorities in Quelimane to ensure immediate dispatch of existing supplies.
The UNICEF team based in Tete travelled to Mutarara on 16 February with the Provincial Directors of Health, Public Works and Housing and Education to conduct an assessment of affected areas. Partners are reporting that the priority needs in affected areas are water purification tablets, chlorine for water points and tents for possible cholera treatment centres in accommodation centres. In addition, education materials are urgently required, as the Provincial Directorate of Education is reporting that 33 schools in Tete have been damaged by the floods, 18 of which are in Mutarara.
The data collection tools for the multi-sectoral assessment to be conducted in affected areas from 18-23 February have been finalised. The assessment, which will build on initial assessments in affected areas, will be conducted by governmental and non-governmental partners. It will cover areas including education, food, nutrition, health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, market access, shelter, protection (including gender-based violence), assistance received, status of basic infrastructure and security.
UNICEF Response
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- In response to requests for additional plastic sheeting in the Caia area (Sofala province), 500 tarpaulin sheets of 4x5m and 50 tarpaulin sheets of 4x50m have been ordered and are expected to arrive in Maputo on 20 February for onward forwarding to Caia.
- UNICEF is liaising with Radio Mozambique regarding the possibility of broadcasting pre-produced radio spots on hygiene promotion in the four affected provinces.
- UNICEF is supporting community theatre groups to conduct theatre performances and social mobilisation activities on cholera prevention and good hygiene practices in the accommodation centres in all affected districts. Activities will start in the week of 19 February.
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© UNICEF Mozambique/ Thierry Delvigne-Jean |
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Children gather, while behind them UNICEF Health Officer Felix Ramos speaks with camp officials about health issues facing residents Murasa camp, near Caia (province of Sofala). February 2007. |
Health
- The UNICEF team has been working with the Ministry of Health to ensure that all camps in Caia and Morremeu (Sofala province) are implementing comprehensive nutrition packages and issuing health reports. They are also supporting the distribution of the 10,000 long-lasting insecticide treated nets in Caia and Morremeu, which will be undertaken by two non-governmental organizations (NGOs): the Mozambican Red Cross (CVM) and Food for the Hungry International (FHI).
- The Provincial Directorate of Health has sent 15 additional activists to undertake health education activities in camps in Caia.
- Multimedia mobile units are being mobilised in Mopeia, Mutarare and Caia to implement cholera prevention activities in the accommodation centres.
Nutrition
- While information from the accommodation centres in the Quelimane area indicates no registered cases of malnutrition, a rapid nutrition assessment is being conducted by the Provincial Directorate of Health in Mopeia starting on 16 February, in order to determine the situation and assess needs. A UNICEF Nutrition Officer is participating in the assessment.
Education
- The 31 tents to be used as temporary learning spaces have arrived in Caia for immediate distribution to affected areas in Sofala and Tete provinces. A comprehensive distribution plan has been developed.
- The following division of labour has been agreed for support to INGC and the provincial and district education authorities in the distribution of education supplies (school, teachers’ and learners’ kits, tents) across the four affected provinces: UNICEF will support the distribution in Tete and Sofala provinces, Save the Children Norway in Manica province and Save the Children UK in Zambezia province.
Protection and Psychosocial Support
- UNICEF is procuring 3,000 emergency kits for orphaned and vulnerable children and 60 recreational kits for distribution in the accommodation centres.
- The UNICEF team has been working with the District Director of the Ministry of Women and Social Action and Save the Children Norway in Caia to initiate training of activists on issues of protection of orphaned and vulnerable children in all of the accommodation centres in the area. Two local NGOs will conduct the training, which will be undertaken in the week starting 19 February, together with the Mozambican Red Cross – ASADEC and ASVIMO.
