Southern Africa Floods: OCHA Situation Report No. 1

This situation report, together with additional information on the current crisis is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int. As your tool for timely information sharing, please encourage submissions of documents and maps by email to submit@reliefweb.int.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. As a result of heavy rainfall, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia have experienced localized flooding affecting at least 16,000 people, and possibly affecting tens of thousands more. Localized flooding is common during the southern Africa rainy season, which typically lasts from November to April. But this year, as happened in 2007, floods are occurring earlier than usual in some countries. In 2007, unusually early and heavy rains, in addition to cyclones, destroyed the livelihoods of nearly one million people across the region, many of whom have yet to recover and are likely to be re-affected during the current season. Governments and their partners are currently responding with in-country resources. However, in view of the still long rainy season ahead, humanitarian needs in the region are likely to increase over the coming days and weeks. To this end, regional and international assistance may be sought.

2. The first Tropical Storm of this season ('Elnus') crossed the Mozambique Channel, traveling at an average windspeed of 30km/h and gusts of up to 78 km/h, according to the Meteo-France Tropical Cyclone Centre. It generated important rainfall for the drought affected areas of Madagascar, and caused no damage.

MOZAMBIQUE

3. The Government of Mozambique has issued a red alert along the five river valleys in the central provinces, following heavy rains throughout the region and in the country. As run off from the rains in Zimbabwe and Zambia has built up behind the Cahora Bassa Dam, officials have been forced to increase the discharge of water from the dam, which subsequently floods areas downstream. Presently, about 5,100 cubic metres per second (m3/s) are being released. Water levels in the Zambezi are presently still rising.

4. Rivers in central Mozambique in December reached levels usually not seen until mid- February, flooding low-lying areas in Buzi, Beira and Machanga provinces. Nearly 1,000 people have been evacuated from the towns of Machanga and Nova Mambone, flooded by the Save river on 31 December 2007. Buzi town is also under water. Water levels in these rivers have subsequently level off.

5. In all of the affected areas, a total of 13,000 people have been evacuated to government-run accommodation centres and other high ground locations. The government estimates that about 55,000 people who remain in these areas are still at risk.

6. In response, the Government has activated the National Operation Emergency Centre (CENOE) and its two coordination centres in Caia and Vilankulo. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Government and its UN and NGO partners are prepositioning various relief items such as plastic sheeting, water bladders and other bulky relief items in anticipation of further rains and resultant flooding, which may cut off access to some areas. Local disaster management authorities anticipate that some of the key transport routes could soon be impassable, particularly the Beira - Chimoio and the Beira - Caia routes.

7. There are enough existing stocks in-country in the key sectors of health and shelter to mount an immediate response for the next two weeks, but additional resources will be needed to meet a likely increase in humanitarian needs. UN and NGO partners are currently approaching bilateral donors to boost their stocks of relief items in country.

8. A multi-sectoral assessment, comprising UN technical staff from the water, health/nutrition, education and protection sectors will be conducted on 5 January 2008 to the affected areas of Buzi, Machanga and Beira.

9. Logistic capacities are also being strengthened. WFP is expected to install a VSAT next week in the Government's Caia operation room.

10. The IASC Humanitarian Country Team will meet on 7 January 2008 to review the situation and identify additional preparedness and response mechanisms in support of the national response. OCHA will deploy a coordination support team to Mozambique next week.

ZAMBIA

11. Heavy rains have raised water levels in the Magoye and Kafioe rivers causing localized flooding in the southern provinces of Sinazongwe, Namhala, Mazabuka, Monze and Siavonga. Preliminary assessments by district authorities indicate that the flood has damaged mainly infrastructure, but that some households along the Magoye River have been displaced. Most of these were absorbed by adjacent communities. The government estimates that a further 500 to 800 people may have been affected. Further information on the impact of the flooding, in particular humanitarian needs, will be provided by the government in the coming days. On 8 January 2008, the Government will officially share with partners its plans to prepare and respond to further flooding

12. Meanwhile, the Government and its partners are planning to preposition relief supplies in the towns of Kalabo (in the west) and Mungwe (in the north); as both are usually cut off from the rest of the country during the rainy season.

13. The UN Disaster Management Team is scheduled to meet on 7 January 2008 to review the additional information and required support.

ZIMBABWE

14. Starting in December, the country has experienced many localized floods, but is presently stable.

15. The most severe flooding occurred in Muzarabani district, in the north-eastern part of the country, which displaced 600 households, about 3,000 people. The Government has provided those affected with food, shelter and fuel, while the national Red Cross distributed non-food items. Assistance has also provided by international humanitarian organizations, including WFP (food rations for 3,000 people for one month), IOM (shelter items), UNICEF (medial supplies for the Ministry of Health), the IFRC and ICRC (nonfood items and shelter). WFP is conducting further assessments in Mashonaland Central Province, and anticipates additional caseloads.

16. Additionally, rising water from the Save River on 29 December 2007 flash flooded areas of Tongogara and Chipinge, close to the border of Mozambique. About 2,832 inhabitants of a nearby refugee camp were temporarily displaced to two local schools, but have now started to return to their houses in the camp. According to an assessment by the Ministry of Local Government, residents of the camp are in need of food, clothing, blankets and utensils, which were lost in the flood.

17. District Civil Protection Units are maintaining a close watch on flood prone areas such as Tsholotsho (Matebeleland North), Masvingo and Chikwarakwara (Matebeleland South).

MADAGASCAR

18. Following heavy rains on 28 December 2007 in the Antananarivo area, a dam protecting the canal of Andriantany channel broke, flooding nearby villages and causing the evacuation of 90 households. The resultant 420 IDPs were temporarily housed in a Government-run camp. But with the dam fixed, people are now returning to their homes.

19. The Government launched the national contingency plan on 21 December 2008. At the moment, however, the water level in the Antananarivo plain is currently around two metres, one metre below the emergency level.

20. Elnus, the tropical storm that was active in the Mozambique canal last week, is now dissipating. It generated important and much needed rainfall around the drought affected regions of Atsimo, Abdrefana and Menabe and the city of Tulear.

MALAWI

21. Heavy rains are being experienced throughout the country but no extensive damage has so far been reported. The government Department of Disaster Management met with the UN on 3 January 2008 to discuss cooperation and coordination in the event of further rains and flooding.

CONTACTS

Kelly David
Head of Office
david1@un.org
+27 82 908 1338

Odile Bulten
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
bulten@un.org
+27 82 908 1339

Andrea Recchia
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
recchia@un.org
+27 82 909 1424