GLIDE No. FL-2008-00004-LSO/MOZ/MWI/NMB/SWZ/ZMB/ZWE
This Preliminary Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 8,064,000 (USD 7.3m or EUR 5m) in cash, kind, or services to support the Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe National Societies to assist 30,000 households (some 150,000 people) for six months.
CHF 1,191,000 was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation. Unearmarked funds to replenish DREF are encouraged.
Summary: Heavy rains and storms since the beginning of December 2007 have caused severe flooding in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The situation is also worsening in Namibia's northern Caprivi Region and in Malawi's southern districts. Lesotho and Swaziland had also previously experienced destructive storms with heavy rains. It is estimated that a total of 22,400 households have been affected in southern Africa and are in need of immediate relief assistance in the form of basic non-food relief, shelter, food, clean water and sanitation, an National Society capacity building. The Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe Red Cross National Societies have requested international support, and this Emergency Appeal is intended to articulate how the initial relief response will be managed while assessments are undertaken to monitor the evolving situation. This Appeal and budget includes planning for contingency stocks to cover a further 50,000 people. A revised Emergency Appeal will be issued shortly, providing a more detailed operational plan. The Federation anticipates that there will be a significant increase in the affected population in the coming weeks.
A total of CHF 1,191,000 has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to start relief operations and to support needs assessments (CHF 1,084,000 of DREF for the region, CHF 107,000 previously allocated for Zimbabwe).
This operation is expected to be implemented over six months, and will therefore be completed by 31 July 2008; a Final Report will be made available by October, 2008 (three months after the end of the operation).
The situation
Continuous heavy rains in the western side of the southern Africa region have caused localised and severe flooding in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe and rising water levels in Malawi and Namibia. Lesotho and Swaziland experienced heavy rains accompanied by hailstorms. Over the past few years, the pattern of floods across southern Africa has been changing, becoming more frequent, intense and unpredictable for local communities. The heavy rains recorded since the first half of December 2007 and the start of 2008 caused rivers to swell. Mozambique, in particular, is a concern as water levels continue to rise above alert level along the Zambezi River, in particular from Tete to the where the river empties into the Indian Ocean in Chinde Town in Zambezia Province.
It is estimated that some 112,000 people are affected in southern Africa, with 57,000 in Mozambique, 15,000 in Zimbabwe, and 6,500 in Zambia. With the rainy season still in the early stages, further heavy rains are expected. In addition to the above mentioned countries, Malawi and Namibia are also now anticipating heavy localised flooding based on previous experiences. It is anticipated that humanitarian support will also be required in these two countries. The short-term weather forecasts and the predicted affect of La Nina indicate further severe flooding for the coming month, and therefore we anticipate a significant increase in the affected population.
MAP - Southern Africa: Floods - Situation Map
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Operational Zone for Southern Africa: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Zone Office, Johannesburg; Email francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone: Tel: +27.11.303.9700; +27.11.303.9711
In Geneva: John Roche, Operations Coordinator for Africa, Email: john.roche@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.4400, Fax: +41.22.733.03.95