Mozambique humanitarian situation update, 12 March 2008Major developments Cyclone Jokwe On 8 March, the Government declared a Red Alert, the highest level for natural disasters, for coastal districts in the provinces of Nampula, Zambézia and Sofala, including Maganja da Costa, Pebane, Moma, Angoche, Mogovolas, Mogincual, Mossuril and Nacala districts, after tropical cyclone Jokwe hit the coastal areas in northern Mozambique. The Government’s National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), UNICEF and other humanitarian Preliminary assessment results indicate that an estimated 12,000 households have been affected by the cyclone. Reports indicate that electricity and water supplies have also been affected in certain areas, however plans to repair damages are already underway. At present, the system "Jokwe" is reported as an "Intense Tropical Storm", having decreased from Category 3 to Category 2. The storm is currently heading east-southeast-east along the Mozambique Channel, with a possibility of moving in the direction of the coastal area of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane Provinces, according to the next 3 day forecast. Floods All rivers in the flood-affected areas show a continuous decrease in water levels. Hydrometric stations indicate that all rivers are below alert level. Discharges from the Cahora Bassa remain at 1800m³/s, in line with the amount of water required for production of electricity. As a result of the decrease in water levels and the response so far, on the 11th of March the Government officially downgraded its emergency status from Red Alert level to Yellow for all flood-affected areas. Overall, the estimated total number of people affected by floods is 113,571, with a total of 20 reported deaths. The government authorities remain on alert as the rainy season usually extends until end of March. However, the rainfall caused by Cyclone Jokwe is not expected to cause any further flooding. Security in Southern Mozambique In light of security incidents in February, Security Phase 1 which was declared on 18 February continues to be observed for Maputo City and the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, and Inhambane. UNICEF response to cyclone Jokwe UNICEF and other humanitarian partners have deployed staff in Nampula province to jointly assess the scale of the destruction and immediate needs. Currently, assessments are on-going in Ilha de Mocambique, Mossuril, Mogincual, Mogovolas, Naccala, Monapo, Moma and Angoche. Preliminary results are expected to be available by 14 March. As an immediate response, UNICEF is sending materials such as basic WASH and health supplies (water bladders, certeza, chlorine, tarpaulin, plastic buckets, tents) to Nampula. In addition, pre-positioned supplies including water bladders, are also available at DPOPH Nampula for when the need arises. UNICEF response to the floods Management and coordination Following the downgrading of the emergency status in flood-affected areas, institutions have been recommended to respond accordingly. UNAPROC was recommended to collect, register and return all boats to the relevant institutions. The INGC boats will be pre-positioned in a place yet to be identified. INGC’s information unit will compile final information and share with CENOE Maputo. In line with the yellow alert status and as the immediate emergency response phase including the distribution of supplies is nearly completed, UNICEF is preparing to dismantle the Mutarara and Mopeia field bases by 17 March. A smaller team will be based in Caia and will continue roaming in the flood-affected areas to monitor further implementation and provide technical assistance to the local authorities. The registration exercise is nearly completed in all resettlement centres. Results have been forwarded to Maputo and data entry is on-going. INGC intends to disseminate data on specific centres when the data entry is completed and the quality checking of database is conducted. Final results are expected by the end of March. Health and nutrition Incidences of cholera continue to decrease across the district with only nine news cases reported on 10 March, bringing the total of cases to 969. One woman died from cholera on 10 March at Mutarara hospital CTC, bringing the total death toll to 15. UNICEF and MSF continue to support the DDS to monitor cholera cases in all of the CTCs. District Health Authorities, with support from the Nutrition Cluster, continue to conduct screening activities in the flood-affected districts across the central provinces. Although screening in certain districts has been completed, activities are ongoing in Sofala, Tete Zambezia and Manica provinces. A total of approximately 12,207 children under-five have been screened so far, of which approximately 1,186 children were found to be moderately malnourished, and subsequently received food supplementation. A total of 97 children were reported as severely malnourished and were referred to district hospitals for therapeutic feeding. The nutritional screening is part of the integrated health package, including Vitamin A supplementation, immunisation and de-worming, of which approximately 7,000 children have benefited so far. In addition, district health authorities with support from cluster partner MSF have resumed vaccination activities in previously inaccessible areas in Mutarara district. Of 79,250 mosquito nets distributed to district hubs, UNICEF and partners have confirmed delivery of 55,110 nets directly to families resettled in the affected areas. Efforts are on-going to combine LLIN distribution with food distribution. This will be done in Mutarara district where 5,000 nets will be distributed along with food. Water and sanitation Mutarara town’s water supply has been cut off since 7 March. To avoid any further cholera outbreak, urgent alternatives have been implemented. Local water authorities with support from UNICEF installed a water treatment system in order to ensure access to water for the affected population. In the mean time, Cluster partners are investigating the source of the problem and are preparing a plan of action. The distribution of emergency WASH supplies (including supplies received through OCHA from Brindisi) is ongoing and distributed goods are being used in different resettlement and transit centres. 41,000 families have received soap from the WASH cluster to promote good hygiene practices. Chlorine, soap, certeza, jerricans and buckets have been distributed in Benejueque and Mugurumba for the first time as these areas were previously inaccessible. Education Distribution of school supplies is now nearly complete, with materials now reaching previously inaccessible areas including Inhangoma and Sabandar. The total number of UNICEF educational supplies distributed by the Education Cluster in flood-affected areas is now 76,002 learners’ kits, in addition to the 585 teachers’ kits and 147 school kits already distributed. Distribution of school supplies is now reaching schools that were initially not included in the needs assessment but that over time have had a large influx of displaced people. As distribution is nearly completed, UNICEF and partners initiated training activities for teachers and school council members, as well as mobilisation activities for building latrines, blackboards and for disaster preparedness. A total of 37 teachers are currently in the process of returning to their schools in Mugurumba (17) and Benejueque (13) in Mopeia district, ensuring that schools can adequately resume learning activities. Teachers have been supported through the provision of 200 family tents and household kits. Protection The delivery of basic materials for the most vulnerable households affected by the floods is nearly completed, with the final 1,500 UNICEF emergency kits en route to Mutarara. In total, 7,152 kits will have been distributed in resettlement camps in all five affected provinces. Cluster partners have accelerated the implementation of recreational activities in targeted areas. In Zambezia district, a total of 18 Child Friendly Spaces have been established so far and in Mutarara district two Child Friendly spaces have been set up. Training of CFS volunteers has been conducted on-site and as part of a specific training programme aimed at Protection Cluster partners. Logistics and telecommunications support Currently there are still two helicopters in service. It is expected that this will be reduced to one helicopter from 13 March onwards. Due to reduced water levels, it has become difficult to use the 30MT barge in the flood-affected areas. The Logistics cluster is reviewing the situation while continuing to use the 60MT Sena Company barge out of Marromeu, as well as smaller boats in areas where barges can no longer access. The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster continues to provide support to government authorities and humanitarian partners where necessary. In addition, UNICEF will dismantle the VSAT in Mopeia base as part of the closing operations. Inter-agency collaboration and key partnerships A CERF mission is currently taking place in Mozambique. The mission will review CERF assistance to the emergency. UNICEF is meeting the CERF mission on 12 March and is also providing support to the mission’s visit to Caia on 13 March. A joint Protection Cluster mission consisting of Save the Children Alliance and UNICEF will visit the flood-affected areas to monitor progress and quality of interventions. For more information, please contact: Thierry Delvigne-Jean Lynda DeGuire Lisa Doherty Annelien Groten
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