GLIDE no. FL-2008-000004-LSO/MOZ/MWI/SWZ/ZMB/ZWE
The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.
CHF 1,084,000 (USD 983,011 or EUR 664,851) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the national societies in delivering immediate assistance to some 16,400 beneficiaries. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: Following early and heavy seasonal rains in southern Africa, rivers have risen above danger levels in many places. Some areas are already flooded. These rains in the western side of the region is causing additional localised and heavy flooding in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Heavy rains and storms have also affected households in Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland. According to the governments, Red Cross National Societies and other stakeholders, approximately 68,650 people have been affected and the floods have also damaged crops, livestock and infrastructure. Red Cross National Societies in affected countries, particularly Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia, have initiated relief operations in support of the government efforts. The Zimbabwe Red Cross has already received Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) of CHF 107,281 on 21 December 2007 to initiate a relief operation. Damage and needs assessments are on-going in all affected countries, and it is anticipated that a preliminary regional emergency appeal will be launched. In preparation for the appeal, this DREF is being allocated to provide support to the national societies to immediately start relief operations based on needs assessments that will take place as the situation develops and evolves.
The situation
The heavy rainfall recorded in Southern Africa region since the first half of December 2007 and the start of 2008 has caused rivers to swell, in particular the Zambezi River which flows through Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Pungwe, Save and Buzi rivers in Mozambique. As a result of these rains Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been severely affected by localized floods, while Lesotho and Swaziland are currently affected by hailstorms. The heavy rains have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 21 people and the destruction of houses, infrastructure such as bridges and crops, and livestock. Malawi is also experiencing above normal heavy rains throughout the country.
With the season still in the early stages, further heavy rains are expected. According to the weather forecast, the situation is expected to worsen and humanitarian needs will increase all the affected countries.
Lesotho: During the first week of January 2008, severe storms accompanied by hailstones hit Lesotho's Mafeteng, Quthing and Mohale's Hoek districts. An initial assessment was conducted on 6 January by the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) jointly with the Lesotho Red Cross Society. The southern part of Mafeteng was the hardest hit with 400 households (2,000 people) affected, and one death reported. Rooftops of buildings in three schools and 29 households were blown away and two children were injured by debris. It is estimated that 50% of the crops have been destroyed implying possible food crisis.
Malawi: Heavy rains are reported to have caused damage to crops and houses in Mzamba, Dedza, Mangochi and Chiradzulu districts with 50 houses reported destroyed in the latter. The National Disaster Management Authority jointly with the Malawi Red Cross is conducting assessments, and the detailed reports are expected soon. With the continuing heavy rains, flooding is anticipated mainly in the southern parts of the country.
Mozambique: The water level along the Zambezi continues to rise as a result of heavy rains in Zambia and Zimbabwe surpassing the alert level and prompting the national water authorities to increase the discharge from the Cahora Bassa Dam (see attached map) from 5,100 to 6,600 cubic metres per second. Flooding has been on the rise since the last week of December 2007. The flooding has resulted in the destruction of houses, infrastructure and crops in six districts in the central provinces of Sofala, Tete, Zambézia and Manica, as well as the southern province of Inhambane, affecting approximately 11,000 households (55,000 people). A total of six people are reported to have died in different circumstances as a result of the flooding, while approximately 2,600 people have been evacuated to safer areas. A rapid needs assessment conducted by multisectoral teams indicates that the affected families are in need of immediate food, shelter, water and sanitation.
Swaziland: parts of the country have been affected by heavy rains accompanied by hail storms since the last week of December 2007. Approximately 120 households (600 people) in Mvutjini in southern Hhohho, Ndzingeni in the northern Hhohho, and Sthobelweni, St Phillips, and Dvokodvweni in the Lubombo Region have been affected.
Zambia: The torrential rain raised water levels in the Magoye and Kafue Rivers, causing flooding in the southern part of the country, namely Sinazongwe, Siavonga and Mazabuka districts. The government supported by the humanitarian community is conducting rapid assessments in the affected districts and so far records indicate that 160 households (800 people) have been affected mostly in Mazabuka. The floods are reported to have destroyed crops, thereby threatening household's food security and causing loss of livestock (cattle, goats and chickens).
Sinazongwe was reportedly temporarily cut off from the rest of the country following the destruction of a bridge. A local mine company donated kwacha 500,000 for the reconstruction of the bridge and transported displaced people by ferry to the evacuations centre. The Siavonga District was also temporarily cut off from the rest of the country when a bridge on the Lusitu River along the main access road was washed away. In addition, one of the two power pillions that supplies power to the country from the Lake Kariba North bank collapsed on 31 December 2007 causing a temporary black out.
Zimbabwe: Heavy rains continued throughout the country. More than 2,000 households (10,000 people) were affected in the flooded districts since the last week of December, with the majority in Muzarabani District in Mashonaland Central Province. In the Chipinge District of Manicaland Province, a flood alert was raised at the end of December 2007, when water levels in the Save River started to rise. This was followed by flash floods in the Tongogara refugee camp, Chibuwe and Chisumbanje (bordering Mozambique). In Matebeleland North Province a flood alert was raised in Tsholotsho, while in Chiredzi and Mwenezi of Masvingo Province two teams are currently in the field carrying out assessments.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Operational Zone for southern Africa: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Zone Office, Harare/Johannesburg; Email francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone 22.11.303.9711
In Geneva: John Roche, Operations Coordinator, Phone: +41.22.730.4400; email: john.roche@ifrc.org