U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated March 14, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Since December 2007, unusually heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across Southern Africa, particularly affecting areas of Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia. In addition, Tropical Cyclones Fame, Jokwe, and Ivan have affected Madagascar and Mozambique.

- According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), flooding and cyclones in Southern Africa have affected nearly 900,000 people since October 2007.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
Country	Estimated Affected Population	Source
Angola	81,400	OCHA - April 10, 2008
Madagascar	332,391	OCHA - April 10, 2008
Malawi	180,246	OCHA - April 10, 2008
Mozambique	173,535	OCHA - April 10, 2008
Namibia	65,000	OCHA - April 10, 2008
Zambia	34,776	OCHA - April 10, 2008

FY 2008 USAID HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

Total USAID/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance to Southern Africa in FY 2008: $2,098,298
Total USAID/FFP(1) Emergency Assistance to Southern Africa in FY 2008(2): $3,043,700
USAID/Mozambique Humanitarian Assistance in FY 2008: $233,850
Total USAID Humanitarian Assistance to Southern Africa in FY 2008: $5,375,848

CURRENT SITUATION

Angola

- The Government of Angola's Civil Protection Unit (CPU) reported that flooding had killed at least 14 people and displaced more than 56,000 others in Cunene and Cuando Cubango provinces as of April 10. In addition, floods killed livestock and destroyed or damaged crops, roads, houses, and schools.

- The CPU indicated that the dispersed nature of the disaster and limited accessibility have hindered response efforts in Cuando Cubango Province.

Madagascar

- Cyclones Fame and Ivan killed 106 people and affected more than 330,000 others, including 190,000 who were displaced, according to the U.N.

- On April 21, the Government of Madagascar (GOM) Ministry of Health reported more than 400 cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), resulting in 17 deaths in five regions of eastern Madagascar. To date, 59 of the cases have been laboratory-confirmed. On April 9, the GOM Ministry of Agriculture also reported RVF cases in livestock.

- In response to a request from the GOM, representatives from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, U.N. World Health Organization, and World Organization for Animal Health traveled to Madagascar to assist the GOM in containing the disease.

Malawi

- Heavy rains in central and southern Malawi led to flooding in 15 of the country's 28 districts, particularly in Chikwawa and Nsanje. The Government of Malawi estimates that flooding affected 32,722 households.

- In the Chikwawa and Nsanje districts, the flooding affected more than 19,600 households. In addition to destroying crops, floods have submerged property and damaged bridges and roads. In some areas, residents are unable to access basic services, such as health clinics and schools, according to USAID/Malawi.

Mozambique

- On March 8, heavy rains and winds from Cyclone Jokwe affected approximately 60,000 people in northern Mozambique, according to OCHA. Since early January, unusually heavy rainfall particularly affected towns along the Zambezi River Basin in central Mozambique. OCHA reported that more than 110,000 flood-affected individuals were living in resettlement centers as of April 10.

Namibia

- Since mid-January, flooding has affected the northern regions of Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena, which previously had been under drought conditions. Extensive flooding in the four regions affected nearly 40,000 people, including approximately 4,000 individuals displaced to temporary reception centers in eight towns.

- In late March, the USAID/OFDA regional advisor conducted an assessment in flood-affected areas with representatives from the Namibia Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Government of the Republic of Namibia.

Zambia

- Heavy rains damaged crops, potentially affecting 2007/2008 agricultural season yields. According to the most recent Zambian National Vulnerability Assessment Committee assessment, losses for staple crops are expected to range from 20 to 60 percent.

- The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is planning to begin food distributions for 137,400 people in 13 flood-affected districts in Southern, Eastern, and Lusaka provinces for three months. Other humanitarian organizations have distributed food in Southern and Western provinces.

Notes:

(1) In the Chikwawa and Nsanje districts, the flooding affected more than 19,600 households. In addition to destroying crops, floods have submerged property and damaged bridges and roads. In some areas, residents are unable to access basic services, such as health clinics and schools, according to USAID/Malawi.

(2) This total includes food assistance provided in response to food insecurity in Mozambique following the drought in 2007.