2007 Floods: Mozambique humanitarian situation update, 22 February
Major Developments The Cahora Bassa dam discharge rate decreased to 2,600 m3/s as of 21 February. In general, the water levels in flood affected areas are decreasing, with the exception of Marromeu. Water levels are expected to stay the same or drop slightly over the next 24 hours in the entire Zambezi basin. As of 21 February, the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) estimates that approximately 139,944 people have been displaced due to the floods. An estimated 87,430 people are currently in the accommodation centres and 52,514 in the resettlement centres that were established after the 2001 floods. The effects of Tropical Cyclone Favio are now being felt in the province of Inhambane. Strong local rains are expected as a result of the cyclone (between 60-75mm over 24 hours). Over the next 48 hours, there may be more rain in Zimbabwe which will have implications for the level of the dam. In line with the Government’s cyclone alert system, the following districts are on alert: Cyclone alert level Red alert: very strong winds could affect the area within 6 hours, or are already in force at the time the warning is issued Yellow alert: - strong winds and rain could affect the area within 24 hours Districts: Gorongosa, Chiringoma, Marromeu, Maringue, Caia, Chemba, Mutarara, Tambara, Guro, Catandica
Source: Meteo France Needs Assessment Tropical Cyclone Favio The 2006/7 Contingency Plan of the INGC provides projected figures for the population at risk in the event of a cyclone. An estimated 11,794 people are at risk in the province of Sofala and 77,596 in the province of Inhambane, giving a maximum total of people at risk in the two provinces of 89,390. The INGC is reviewing the need to move people already displaced further inland as a worst case scenario, which will be particularly difficult in the administrative post of Inhangoma (Tete province), which is not easily accessible. In preparation for the cyclone, the National Ministry of Defence has deployed 210 people to districts on cyclone alert. The helicopter based in Caia deployed for the flood response is likely to relocate to Tete during the next 24 hours. Zambezi Floods The UNICEF team based in Caia (Sofala province) has reported that sufficient supplies are available to address the immediate needs of locations in Sofala province. UNICEF is working with the INGC and other partners to ensure ongoing monitoring of the need for additional supply and non-supply interventions and to facilitate delivery of supplies to other affected areas. The UNICEF team based in Mopeia (Zambezia province) is continuing to work with Government and non-governmental partners to assess the situation in relation to centres in Zambezia. Access is a problem in some areas, due to the limited number of boats available. Additional supplies have arrived and have been distributed in line with the immediate needs assessed to date. The distribution of food remains a main priority, in addition to ITNs, which are being distributed by NGO partners. In partnership with local authorities and partners, the team has calculated the additional supply needs for the next three weeks to cover all areas in Mopeia and Morrumbala and is following up to ensure that these needs are met. The UNICEF team based in Mutarara (Tete province) is continuing to work with Government and other partners to assess the needs of centres in Tete province. Access is an increasing problem, due in part to the decreasing water levels; areas previously accessible by boat can now only be reached by helicopter. The priority needs continue to be food, water and sanitation. Fuel is also an immediate need, as many of the locations, particularly in the administrative post of Inhangoma, can only be reached by helicopter or by boat. UNICEF is liaising with the INGC and other partners under the Logistics cluster to ensure rapid delivery of fuel to affected areas. In the district of Tambara (Manica province), the INGC is reporting that the situation in the 3 centres is improving, due in part to reports that some displaced people have been returning home. Partners conducting assessments in the area, such as Concern, are reporting that the priority needs are food, tents, ITNs, medical supplies and education materials. UNICEF is liaising with Government and NGO partners to ensure an appropriate and coordinated response. Teams composed of governmental and non-governmental partners (including the Ministry of Health, SETSAN/VAC, UNICEF, WFP, FAO and USAID/FEWSNET) are continuing work on the multi-sectoral assessment to build upon initial assessments in flood affected areas. The assessment is covering areas including education, food, nutrition, health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, market access, shelter, protection, assistance received, status of basic infrastructure and security. Based on inputs from the field and from partners at central level, the Office has prepared a detailed mapping of identified needs and response interventions of UNICEF and partners in affected areas, in order to facilitate the targeting of support to areas not yet reached. The matrix is being updated on a daily basis by the UNICEF teams based in Caia, Mopeia and Mutarara. UNICEF Response Tropical Cyclone Favio A multi-sectoral UNICEF team is on standby for immediate deployment to areas affected by the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Favio as required. Supplies ordered in case of deterioration in the flood affected areas are being retained in Maputo for immediate deployment to cyclone affected areas if required, including chlorine, large water bladders, water tanks, rolls of plastic sheeting, tarpaulin sheets, recreational kits and basic kits. UNICEF is reviewing the need for new supplies, including rope for tarpaulin, cholera response kits and learners’/teachers’ kits. In addition, 20 tents donated by the Portuguese Embassy may be used to support the cyclone response. WASH On 21 February, the following WASH supplies provided by UNICEF were distributed to centres in Mopeia: 20 boxes of soap, 110 latrine slabs, 100 metres of plastic sheeting and 60 jerry cans. These supplies are sufficient to cover the immediate needs and the team is following up to ensure the delivery and distribution of additional supplies required for the next few weeks. Health The UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officers based in Caia, Mopeia and Mutarara are all continuing to support the local health authorities in assessing the situation in relation to health in the centres. A main public health concern is conjunctivitis, but sufficient stocks of treatment are available in all affected areas. Epidemiological surveillance is functioning and no cases of cholera or measles have been registered in affected areas. 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 ITNs/LLINs (2 per family). Indoor Residual house Spraying (IRS) in centres in Caia has been interrupted due to the imminent arrival of Tropical Cyclone Favio. UNICEF is liaising with NGOs including Save the Children and Population Services International to ensure that sufficient ITNs are available and distributed in Mopeia and Morrumbala. Flip charts have now been distributed in all centres (3 per centre) in Mopeia and Morrumbala and are being used for cholera prevention and hygiene promotion activities. Nutrition The UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officers based in Caia, Mopeia and Mutarara are also supporting the local health authorities in assessing the nutritional status of affected children. During the assessments, Vitamin A supplementation, deworming treatment and immunisation are administered to children screened. The Provincial Directorate of Health is conducting a nutrition survey in 4 centres in Mutarara, the results of which are expected by 23 February. Distribution plans for the BP5 provided by UNICEF (currently available in Caia and Mopeia) have been developed by the Ministry of Health in coordination with partners in Caia and Mopeia. Distribution is expected to begin in Caia on 22 February. Education The installation of large tents provided by UNICEF to be used as learning spaces in flood affected areas is ongoing. In Mopeia, two tents have been installed and schooling is expected to start on 22 February. A total of 6 tents are installed and functioning in Caia and Marromeu, with a further 3 still to be installed (1 in Caia and 1 in Chembe). Where relevant, children from centres are accessing neighbouring schools. In Sofala, UNICEF is working with the education authorities in the affected districts to ensure that additional teachers are available to work in the affected schools. Protection The psycho-social environment for children in centres remains a concern, and there is a lack of play materials and focal people with basic knowledge to enhance the psycho-social environment. The recreational kits being procured by UNICEF are expected to arrive within the next few days for immediate distribution and HIV Alliance, with support from UNICEF, will begin providing basic orientation training in centres on enhancing the psycho-social environment for children in the accommodation centres on 23 February. UNICEF is following up with the Ministry of Interior (MINT) on the plan for policing in all centres in flood affected areas. Under the framework of the MINT plan, UNICEF will support the training of 40 police in Sofala province, 10 in Manica province and 50 in Tete province. UNFPA will support the training of 50 police in Zambezia. Training is expected to commence on 22 February. Mine risk education materials are expected to arrive from Angola on 22 February for immediate dispatch to affected areas.
Photo essay Related links Health activists spread life-saving messages Protecting children from malaria and water-borne diseases Flood-affected children go back to school Coastal towns hard at work after Cyclone Favio Mozambique floods: Getting children back to school Mozambique floods: Preventing the spread of diseases among children in the camps 2007 Floods and Cyclone: humanitarian updates |
