The following is a report on emergency flood relief (dispatch of an advance team) to the Republic of Mozambique as authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 8
1. Emergency Situation
Continuous rains have fallen in Mozambique since mid-January, with the period of February 11-13 being particularly heavy. The most severe flooding seen in the country in 50 years struck five central and southern provinces (Sofala, Manica, Inhambane, Gaza, and Maputo), and has seriously affected populated areas and caused extensive properly damage. In some areas the flooding has isolated towns and villages, hampering such activities as relief operations and transport of supplies. In addition, the central water supply system in the capital city of Maputo has been severely damaged, leaving many of the city's residents without a secure water supply, and shelters in the city lack the space needed for the 100,000 people seeking refuge. The government of Mozambique has reported the number of dead to be reached 48 and the total number of persons affected to be 1 million.
2. Response of the Mozambican Governmen
On March 6 the government of Mozambique made a request to the government of Japan for dispatch a medical team.
3. Response of the International Community
(1) EU $1.4 million
(2) United Kingdom $800,000
(3) Switzerland $410,000
(4) Germany $250,000
(5) UNICEF $160,000
(6) Portugal $150,000
(7) Norway $100,000
4. Response of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the request from the government of Mozambique, and authorized the dispatch of an advance team prior to dispatch of a medical team.
Team objectives:
conduct a survey to determine: a) the extend of flood-related damage, b) which areas are in need of a medical team from Japan, and c) what kinds of on-site activity the team will be able to perform.
Period of dispatch:
two weeks from March 9 (Thu), 2000
The date for the team's return to Japan is pending
The team departed for Mozambique aboard flight JL 711 at 5:45 p.m., March
9.
Team composition:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 1; nurse: 1; coordinator: 1 (total: 3 persons)