SITUATION OVERVIEW
Two cyclones hit the southern Africa
region causing severe devastation in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and
Madagascar, and leaving more than 500 people dead. Hundreds of thousands
of persons have lost their homes, their belongings, and their crops. Roads,
bridges, and other infrastructure have been demolished.
Mozambique: Due to the severe flooding in the Limpopo, Save, and Buzi river basins over 1.1 million persons have been affected with 210,000 persons displaced:
Limpopo river basin: 110,000 displaced people with more than 700,000 affected.
Save river basin: 60,000 displaced with an estimated 200,000 affected.
Buzi river basin: There are nearly 41,000 displaced people, with nearly 200,000 affected.
120,000 urban persons have been displaced in the capitol city of Maputo and in Matola 12 km northwest of Maputo city.
The floods have also destroyed 10,000 hectares of planted fields, and claimed an estimated 30,000 head of cattle. Near-total crop losses are almost certain in the southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane. Serious crop losses are also expected in the central provinces of Manica and Sofala.
The scourge of landmines laid during Mozambique's protracted civil war, which ended in the early 1990s, will pose a new threat to returning villagers when the floodwaters subside, leaving many of the deadly weapons exposed, unstable or swept to new areas. Hidden devices will make rehabilitation that much harder, and complicate the campaign to rid the country of landmines.
Madagascar: Due to the severe flooding and consequent mudslides caused by the cyclone, approximately 613,000 persons have been displaced (including approximately 250,000 women and 130,000 children) and the number of those left homeless is estimated at 12,000 of which 4,000 are women and 2,000 are children. Particularly hard hit are the provinces of:
Morondava
Belo
Brikaville
Samabava
Anadapa
Major road links have been interrupted or destroyed. Of particular concern is the huge outbreak of cholera among those displaced, with approximately 61% of those displaced now affected.
Zimbabwe: Areas most affected by recent flooding are:
Mpumalanga Province where many homes were destroyed
Inkomazi District where many families lived in mud houses which caved in
Msikazi District which has 942 homes destroyed/damaged
Hazyview/Mkulhlu District where 379 homes were damaged
Bushbuckridge District where 174 homes were damaged
Northern Province where 40 persons died and many areas are still underwater
There has been comprehensive damage to homes and infrastructure, as well as extensive crop loss.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE STATUS
Search and rescue operations have concluded.
Immediate basic relief needs of food, water/sanitation and shelter have been met. Supplies of material resources for meeting basic emergency needs are adequate. No additional shipments of emergency relief supplies are needed. Local stocks for local purchase are adequate. (*CWS sent initial funds for blanket purchase to CCM in the amount of $20,000.)
Food surpluses from other parts of the region are being redistributed to the affected families. Some outside food is being delivered. Stocks are high.
Coordination and distribution of assistance is difficult, but improving.
Transition into the emergency relief phase from rescue operations has begun. Immediate relief provisions are adequate. Generating support and planning for the mid to long-term recovery is now the focus. Recovery needs of the survivors are many. Response efforts should now focus on mid to long-term recovery providing resettlement assistance and support over the next 3-9 months.
MID TO LONG-TERM RECOVERY RESPONSE
Provision of basic resettlement items will be necessary as families return to their home areas. Most rural families have lost all household and agricultural assets. Assistance to support resettlement and the reestablishment of food production/livelihoods will be critical.
Resettlement will begin over the next few weeks extending for a period of up to six months. Support will be required throughout this period extending an additional 3-5 months after resettlement.
Coordination with national and provincial authorities to plan and implement activities in support of the eventual return and resettlement of affected families is beginning.
CWS Implementing Partners
Presbyterian Church of Mozambique (IPM)
Christian Council of Mozambique (CCM)
Council of Churches of Madagascar (FFKM)
FIKRIFAMA of Madagascar
South Africa Council of Churches (SACC) in Zimbabwe
CWS SUPPORT AND RESPONSE
1. Partnering with CCM-Mozambique
A. Provide assistance for the 24,400 individuals identified in the forthcoming CCM proposal.
Target areas: Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane and Sofaia
Inputs: Financial assistance for local purchase of blankets and/or tarps
Support: Maximum $100,000
B. Assist in developing linkages and underwriting support costs of technical volunteers to CCM from the South African Council of Churches.
Inputs: Financial support for volunteer travel per diem
Support: $15,000
2. Partnering with IPM-Mozambique
A. Support the local purchase of rural resettlement kits (outlined below) and provide administrative and logistical support for distribution to 5,200 returning families in the target areas. Negotiations are underway by IPM for agricultural inputs to be provided by the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
Inputs: Resettlement kits as outlined below
Target areas: Magude, Chicumbane, Guija
Support: $936,000
Rural Resettlement Kit -- per family Agricultural Inputs -- per family
3 Blankets Maize seed
3 Health Kits Beans
Cooking utensils, Ground nuts
Plastic sheeting Fertilizer
Rice, beans, maize Hoes and Panga
Sugar, Salt
Cooking oil
Charcoal Cook stove Note: Detailed budget data is being
Washbasin developed. Estimated cost of support
Plastic Jerry Can package to each family is US$180
Mosquito nets including logistical support.
Mine Awareness Materials
3. Capacity building in Mozambique
A. Both CCM and IPM, as well as numerous other faith organizations, have expressed the need for the development of an Emergency Committee to coordinate long-term recovery efforts and to begin discussions around lessons learned and future emergency coordination. Initial coordination has been lacking at both the governmental and NGO levels.
Inputs: Financial support and technical assistance for the development of an Emergency Committee. Evaluation of the response and planning for a workshop that may include regional participants.
Support: $55,000
4. Interpretation in Mozambique
There is a need for clear reporting and interpretation of the role of the churches in the recovery effort.
Input: Seconded assistance to interpret the church response efforts (i.e., written material and photos). Travel and per diem
Support: $5,000-$10,000
5. Partnering with FIKRIFAMA and FFKM in Madagascar
Provide resettlement kit (detailed in above chart) assistance to 8,000 families. Provide emergency management training to staff of FIKRIFAMA and FFKM.
Target Areas: Anosy Be, Belo sur Tsribihina and Vatomandry
Input: Financial assistance for the local purchase of resettlement kits and technical assistance staff for the provision of emergency management training.
Support: $1,480,000 (*Assessment being carried out by CWS in coming weeks may require revision of support amount.)
6. Partnering with SACC in Zimbabwe
Provide assistance to 4,500 families.
Target Area: Madonsi, Gidjana Tribal Authority and Mavambe Traditional Authority
Input: Financial assistance for the local purchase of blankets
Support: $103,776