In view of the continued escalation in cases and deaths, health partners are seeking funding to support interventions. The Humanitarian Gaps Appeal is only funded at 13 per cent.

Dry spell continues, compromising yields in several countries

KEY MESSAGES

• A prolonged dry spell in the southern half of the region has continued for over 2 months in some areas, resulting in crop yield reductions and dampened harvest expectations.

• Though prospects remain good in some parts of the region, factors that have compromised expected harvests in other areas include an erratic onset of rains, armyworm outbreaks, input distribution challenges, along with flooding and waterlogging.

Having learned from past disasters, Mozambique has developed a robust early warning system that covers river levels, rainfall forecasts and cyclone projections.

CHF 184,249 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in delivering immediate assistance to some 3,459 beneficiaries (591 families). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Government resources are limited and levels of relief stocks low while more rain and flooding are expected until the flood and cyclone season ends in April. OCHA's latest situation report provides updates on the affected countries.

Highlights

Due to heavy rainfall, flooding occurred in the North-West, North-East, and parts of Central district between the 16th -20 th of January 2013.

• The flooding affected 842 households, including 32 households in Dukwi Refugee Camp.

• There are unconfirmed reports that two people died in the floods.

Highlights

• Heavy rains continue to fall over northern Mozambique, causing floods in some areas and affecting at least 510 people.

• Parts of northern and central Madagascar are also recording heavy rainfall from the same low pressure system located in the Mozambique Channel.

• Maize prices in Zambia rose sharply at the end of 2012, while similarly rapid increases have been recorded in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and some markets of Zimbabwe

• Overall, crop conditions for the 2012/13 agricultural season remain generally favourable, despite the late onset of seasonal rains in parts and an outbreak of armyworms that threatens production in some areas

Several countries in Southern Africa have suffered outbreaks of the African Armyworm, a pest of crops and rangeland herbage