2007 Floods: Mozambique humanitarian situation update, 24 February
Major Developments Over the next 24 hours, as a result of Tropical Cyclone Favio, the coastal regions in the provinces of Inhambane and Sofala could continue to face moderate rains and strong winds, particularly in the districts of Govuro, Machanga, Chibabava, Buzi, Muanza, Cheringoma, Marromeu and Maringue. In the areas of Buzi, Púngoè and Zambeze, an increase in the water levels is predicted as a result of the cyclone. No further warnings will be issued regarding Favio. UNICEF is monitoring the progress of two more cyclones that have formed in the Indian Ocean: Tropical Cyclone Gamede and Tropical Cyclone 16S. Gamede is forecast to develop into a category 2 cyclone and is headed towards north-eastern Madagascar while 16S is forecast to develop into a category 1 cyclone and is moving west south-west towards Madagascar. The Cahora Bassa dam discharge rate decreased to 2,5-600 m3/s as of 22 February. In spite of localized rains and wind due to the cyclone, in general, the waters are receding in flood affected areas. As of 22 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 (no new data are available). Needs Assessment Tropical Cyclone Favio A multi-sectoral assessment is ongoing in cyclone affected areas by representatives of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, WFP, WHO, UNICEF and the Mozambican Red Cross. The airport in Vilanculos is currently closed. WFP is deploying a 10-seater Caravan plane to conduct an assessment mission on 25th February. Zambezi Floods The UNICEF team based in Caia (Sofala province) is working with Government and NGO partners on a geographical mapping of interventions to ensure that all affected areas are covered with WASH interventions, which is the main priority concern. The team is continuing to meet with Government and NGO partners to monitor the situation in relation to education, health and nutrition and protection. 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. The main priorities continue to be water and sanitation, shelter and additional Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs). UNICEF is working with partners to mobilise resources for those areas not yet covered. The UNICEF team based in Mutarara (Tete province) is reporting that water and sanitation, shelter and food are the priority concerns. UNICEF is working with Government and NGO partners to ensure that the needs are met in terms of supply and non-supply interventions. Teams composed of governmental and non-governmental partners (including the Ministry of Health, SETSAN/VAC, UNICEF, WFP, FAO and USAID/FEWSNET) have completed the data collection stage of the multi-sectoral assessment to build upon initial assessments in flood affected areas. The preliminary findings of the assessment are expected to be shared on 24 February. UNICEF Response Tropical Cyclone Favio A UNICEF team travelled to Vilanculos with Government partners on 23 February to take part in a multi-sectoral assessment of cyclone affected areas. In response to immediate needs identified by the Government, UNICEF supplies are to be deployed immediately to the cyclone affected areas, including tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, water bladders, chlorine, tents, cholera information leaflets, OVC emergency kits and ITNs. In addition, zinc sheets, wooden poles and nails will be procured to support the repair of damaged schools. The need for additional supplies, and for non-supply interventions, will be reviewed based on the outcomes of assessments over the coming days in affected areas. Zambezia Floods Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) UNICEF is working with partners to mobilise resources for water and sanitation in affected areas. In Caia, the geographical coordination between the different partners continues and a revised coordination matrix is being developed to ensure coverage of all areas in Sofala and Manica provinces. In Mopeia, the local water authorities have established a water treatment station to provide water for 4 centres. UNICEF is sending additional WASH supplies, including jerry cans and chlorine, to the station. In Mutarara, NGOs including MSF and Oxfam are scaling up their operations to ensure that all centres are covered with WASH interventions. With support from UNICEF, the local water authorities have begun water trucking in centres. Involving communities in the construction of latrines is proving a challenge and UNICEF teams are working with partners to stress the importance of community participation to enhance sustainability. 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. Nutrition In Caia, UNICEF has met with the National Directors of Health and Medical Assistance to clarify nutrition screening procedures under the supplementary feeding programme. UNICEF is providing more detailed guidelines on infant and young child feeding and support for pregnant and lactating women to the local health authorities and NGO partners involved in the supplementary feeding programme, in order to ensure appropriate infant and young child feeding and an adequate response for pregnant and lactating women. UNICEF has provided therapeutic milk and PlumpyNut – a type of supplementary food – to be pre-positioned in Caia for onward distribution to Mutarara, which currently has one week’s supply in stock. Education In Sofala, all accommodation centres can access functioning schools and all displaced children and host school children have school materials and complementary recreational materials. UNICEF is working with the education authorities to monitor any additional needs and to facilitate the distribution of supplies to other affected provinces. In Mutarara, UNICEF is working with the education authorities in the affected districts to ensure the installation and use of tents as temporary learning spaces and to ensure that additional teachers are available to work in affected schools and temporary schooling facilities. An additional 35 teachers have been deployed to teach in the centres. Radio announcements are being broadcast to stimulate School and ZIP Directors to assign teachers to all centres and to collect data on the number of children. Additional tents have been sent from Caia, although access remains a problem. UNICEF is liaising with Save the Children to mobilise additional tents for Mutarara on an urgent basis. Protection UNICEF is continuing to follow up with the Ministry of Interior on policing of centres in affected areas. Police are in place in all of the affected provinces and rapid refresher training on protection and gender issues for the deployed police will take place in the week of 26 February.
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 |
