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2008 Floods

2008 Floods

 

2007 Floods: Mozambique humanitarian situation update, 20 February

© UNICEF Mozambique/Thierry Delvigne-Jean

A UNICEF Health Officer discusses camp management issues with camp officials near Caia (province of Sofala).

Major developments  

The Cahora Bassa dam discharge rate remained stable at 5,500 m3/s as of 19 February. From 18-19 February, a reduction was registered in the level of precipitation both within Mozambique and also in neighbouring countries. A general decrease in the water levels was registered, with the exception of Marromeu, where the water levels increased slightly.    

As of 18/19 February, the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) estimates that approximately 120,791 people have been displaced due to the floods. An estimated 70,925 people are currently in the accommodation centres and 49,866 in the resettlement centres that were established after the 2001 floods.   It is expected that on 21-22 February the coastal districts in the provinces of Inhambane, Sofala and Gaza will be affected by the Tropical Cyclone Favio. This is likely to cause light rain, which could exacerbate current flooding.    

Needs assessment  

The UNICEF team based in Caia (Sofala province) has reported that a large number of NGO partners are now present in Caia and sufficient supplies are available to address the immediate needs. There are 5 working groups currently operating in Caia under Government leadership to monitor additional needs and coordinate the response: Education and Protection; Water, Sanitation and Health; Shelter; Food and Logistics. Focus is now being placed on ensuring the prioritisation of supply distribution in Caia, Mopeia and Mutarara and also on non-supply interventions. The INGC is continuing to provide a daily briefing to all partners. The UNICEF team is participating in coordination meetings and briefings to monitor the need for additional supply and non-supply interventions.    

The UNICEF team based in Quelimane (Zambezia province) has been working with Government and non-governmental partners to assess the situation in relation to some of the centres in Mopeia and Morrumbala. Sufficient supplies are available to meet the immediate needs of those centres already assessed, as a result of the arrival of additional supplies on 19 February. The team is supporting the assessment of the remaining centres (for which access is a problem) over the coming days and is liaising with the INGC and other partners to ensure the effective delivery of available supplies and to determine future needs, both for centres already assessed and those not yet reached.  

The UNICEF team based in Mutarara (Tete province) has received reports on the accommodation centres from the official Emergency Response Team established in Mutarara. In the administrative post of Charre, there are 6 centres accommodating 2,153 people; in Nhamay, there are 2 centres accommodating 3,194 people; in Inhangoma, there are 13 centres accommodating 45,162 people; and in Doa there is one centre accommodating 1,441 people. Lack of access to adequate sanitation is a major concern in the area, particularly in Inhangoma, which can only be reached via helicopter or boat. Teams composed of governmental and non-governmental partners (including the Ministry of Health, SETSAN/VAC, UNICEF, WFP, FAO and USAID/FEWSNET) began work on 19 February on the multi-sectoral assessment to build upon initial assessments in flood affected areas. The assessment will cover areas including education, food, nutrition, health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, market access, shelter, protection, assistance received, status of basic infrastructure and security.  

UNICEF response  

Coordination support  

• UNICEF has supported the INGC to develop a coordination matrix, which allows partners to map where each organisation is working and on which areas, so that gaps in implementation and the distribution of supplies can be clearly highlighted as programmes move forward.

WASH

• An additional 500 jerry cans, 660 latrine slabs, 1,000 soap bars and 500 buckets arrived in Mopeia from Caia on 19 February. The UNICEF team is working with INGC and other partners to ensure appropriate and timely distribution.
• A number of activists have been identified to undertake hygiene promotion activities in the Caia area: 20 from Food for the Hungry International, 15 from the District Directorate of Health and 28 from the Mozambican Red Cross.

Health

• The UNICEF Malaria Officer based in Caia is continuing to work with the local health authorities to facilitiate the coordination of malaria prevention, including ensuring effective distribution of Insecticide Treaded Nets and Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (2 per family) and Indoor Residual house Spraying (IRS) in accommodation centres in Caia.
• On 19 February, multimedia mobile units began to visit accommodation centres in affected areas identified by the INGC to project videos on cholera prevention, good hygiene and sanitation practices and HIV and AIDS.
• The community theatre groups supported by UNICEF have begun rehearsals in accommodation centres identified by the INGC. The groups will conduct 15 days of interactive theatre performances on cholera prevention, good hygiene and sanitation practices and HIV and AIDS for a one month period.

Nutrition

• The UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officer in Caia is continuing to support the local health authorities in conducting an active case finding assessment to assess the nutritional status of children (using weight for height). During the assessments, vitamin A supplements and de-worming treatment are being administered: to date, 121 children have received vitamin A supplements and 493 children have received de-worming treatment.
• 763 cartons of the BP5 – compact food – ordered by UNICEF arrived in Caia on 19 February. 334 cartons will remain in Caia to be used in the supplementary feeding sites pending the arrival of corn soya blend – a nutritious food supplement – from WFP and 429 has been received in Mopeia. While BP5 is being distributed, a distribution plan for the remaining supplies of BP5 is expected to be presented on 20 February.

Education

• The construction of the large tents to be used as temporary learning spaces has begun in Caia. The UNICEF team has trained 4 tent erectors, who are training an additional 4 on 20 February. To date, one tent pitching has been supervised in the Chupanga centre.
• An additional 5,000 school kits arrived in Mopeia from Caia on 19 February. The UNICEF team is liaising with the INGC and other partners to monitor and address the outstanding supply requirements.

Protection

• UNICEF has been working with the District Director of Women and Social Action to assess the situation of orphaned and vulnerable children in accommodation centres in Caia. 18 activists from the Ministry of Women and Social Action have been identified to provide ongoing protection surveillance in centres in Caia, using a simple form to identify vulnerable children. In addition, the activists will identify key protection focal people in each of the centres in preparation for the arrival of either protection related supplies or orientation/training work. In addition, the following NGO activists have been identified: 12 from the Mozambican Red Cross; 8 from ASADEC and 13 from ASVIMO. Surveillance work is expected to commence on 21 February.