Already on the ground, the international
organisation Action Against Hunger is launching an emergency appeal for
urgently needed funds to bring relief to the victims of the catastrophic
floods in Mozambique.
Initially, Action Against Hunger's
focus is to prevent the outbreak of epidemics such as cholera by ensuring
the provision of safe drinking water and minimum sanitary conditions.
Currently in the district of Buzi, the team is installing of 15 pumps and will begin water distribution to 7,000 people tomorrow.
Further relief operations should be implemented in Machanga and Chibabanva (province of Sofala).
Over 5 tons of equipment including water bladders, water tanks, pumps, chlorine already arrived to Beira, capital of the province.
Additional international staff, cooking utensils, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and mosquito nets will follow as soon as possible.
Working in Mozambique since 1992, Action Against Hunger's team has carried out numerous emergency operations and is specialised in the region. For many years, it has worked closely with local structures and national staff .
Since the end of the war in 1992, which claimed 1 million victims and displaced more than 5 million people, the country was heading towards reconstruction.
This is a real human tragedy and the threat of epidemics makes it worse. People have lost their homes, their livestock and belongings. The harvest that was due in a few weeks has been swept away in a country heavily dependent on agriculture. We urgently need help to prevent the outbreak of epidemics such as cholera and assist the people of Mozambique to get back on the road to recovery.