The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 183 countries.
In Brief
Period covered: 1st April to 30th April, 2007;
Appeal coverage: 38%;
Appeal history:
Preliminary appeal launched on 16th February 2007 for CHF 7,464,923 (USD 5,971,938 or EUR 4,524,196) in cash, kind or services, for 6 months to assist 100,000 beneficiaries (20,000 families)
Revised appeal launched on 14th March 2007 for CHF 20,633,392 (USD 16.9m or EUR 12.8m) in cash, kind or services for 6 months to assist 117,235 beneficiaries (23,447 families).
Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) allocated: CHF 187,000
Operational Summary: A coordinated Red Cross Red Crescent response, led by the Mozambique Red Cross (CVM) with support from the International Federation and Partner National Societies, is providing essential relief to populations affected by the floods and cyclone in Mozambique.
In the flood-affected provinces of Manica, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia, non food relief item distributions by the CVM and Relief Emergency Response Unit (ERU), targeting 18,000 families, are complete and water treatment plants are winding down operations as displaced families move to resettlement sites and permanent water sources are established. Concerted efforts to raise hygiene awareness among displaced populations have had a significant positive impact during the reporting period, with improved sanitary conditions reported in many accommodation centres. The focus is now on distribution of shelter kits to approximately 13,000 families and continued rehabilitation and recovery to ensure ongoing and improved access to healthcare and water and sanitation.
Volunteers trained in first aid and community based health continue to provide basic medical assistance to displaced communities through house to house visits and at first aid posts. Four cholera kits and four IEHKs are on standby in Beira warehouse to further boost CVM health capacity.
In the cyclone-affected province of Inhambane, Spanish Red Cross distributions of non food relief items to a target of 6,000 families are finished and distribution of shelter kits to a target 3,535 families is nearing completion. The Norwegian/ Canadian Red Cross Basic Health Care ERU in Vilankulos, supporting the cyclone-damaged hospital, has provided medical assistance to more than 13,300 patients and is preparing to handover equipment and materials to boost capacity of the local CVM and the Ministry of Health before its scheduled departure on 22nd May.
CVM, the International Federation and PNS continue to operate in close coordination and consultation with the National Centre for Disaster Management (INGC(1)), which has overall coordination of the relief effort, and with humanitarian actors involved in the relief effort through the UN-established sectoral Cluster groups.In all affected areas, CVM staff and volunteers continue to demonstrate their commitment and determination to assist vulnerable populations. CVM has finalised a recovery plan of action and is seeking additional funds to support rehabilitation and recovery plans in floods and cyclone affected areas. In line with the mission of the CVM, the plan of action seeks to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people, alleviating human suffering wherever possible, through the dedication & work of volunteers. Priorities include: provision of shelter for displaced populations; increased access to health and care through training for CVM volunteers, provision of first aid equipment and establishment of first aid posts; sustainable water and sanitation through drilling and rehabilitation of bore holes, latrines and continued hygiene promotion campaigns; expansion of the proven early warning system to increase preparedness in disaster prone areas.
This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Background
Mozambique is prone to flooding and one of the most vulnerable areas in the country is the Zambezi flood plain. In January and early February heavy rains led to overflowing of rivers and pressures on dams. As a result the Cahoba Bassa hydroelectric dam began discharging surplus water on 9th February, which - together with the rainfall - resulted in widespread flooding along the flood plain. The floods destroyed houses, schools, health centres & crops, forcing 163,045 people from their homes, according to the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC). The four most affected provinces are Sofala, Zambezia, Manica & Tete. A total of 107,534 of the displaced people have been sheltered in accommodations centres, while 55,511 others are in resettlements centres established by the government of Mozambique after the 2001 floods.
In a separate disaster, on 22nd February 2007 Mozambique experienced an intense tropical cyclone, (cyclone Favio), which caused nine deaths & affected 133,670 people in Vilanculos, Inhassoro, Govuro & Massinga districts in Inhambane province, & Machanga district in Sofala province. 20,800 hectares of crops were destroyed along with approximately 6,000 houses built from local materials such as wooden poles, mud & grass. The cyclone also caused destruction of infrastructure & public facilities, seriously damaging Vilanculos rural hospital, in particular the maternity, surgical operation theatre & the HIV/ AIDS wards where antiretroviral drugs were destroyed, & partially damaging seven health centres.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Response
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was well positioned to respond to this current emergency. CVM has a strong volunteer network, with a proven track record of assisting populations affected by floods, and together with the Federation and other Red Cross Red Crescent partners, has worked on an extensive disaster preparedness programme since the devastating floods of 2000 and 2001. Activities within this disaster programme served to strengthen the CVM volunteer network and disaster response capacity of the CVM headquarters and branches, and helped prepare the Red Cross and vulnerable communities to respond to the recent floods and cyclone.
In addition the combined disaster management capacity of CVM, the International Federation and other partners provided the volunteer network with the support and direction they need to maximise the impact of their work to the benefit of those affected by the floods. In particular, Red Cross and Red Crescent partners provided support to CVM in affected areas through the deployment of Emergency Response Units (ERU) and other support:
- A Danish/Swiss Red Cross Logistics ERU was deployed to strengthen logistical capacities to handle incoming donations, and ensure swift delivery of goods as well as good reporting.
- A Spanish/Belgian-Netherland-Luxemburg/ American Red Cross Relief ERU was deployed to ensure expedient and efficient distribution of goods.
- A Spanish Red Cross water sanitation ERU set up water treatment plants for distribution to ensure access to clean water for displaced populations.
- A Norwegian/ Canadian Red Cross Basic Health Care unit ERU was set up in Vilankulos to support the existing cyclone-damaged hospital.
- A Spanish Red Cross Telecoms ERU was deployed to Vilankulos to provide telecommunications support to the cyclone operation.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Mozambique: Fernanda Teixeira, Secretary General, Mozambique Red Cross Society, Maputo; Email: fernanda.teixeira@redcross.org.mz; Phone +258.1.497.721; +258.1.490.943; Mobile +258.82.31.16.25; Fax +258.1.497.725; Robert Przedpelski, Head of Operation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Maputo; Email: robert.przedpelski@ifrc.org; Phone + 258.21.497.721; Mobile + 258. 82.700.4848; Fax. +258.21.497.725.
In Zimbabwe: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Southern Africa Regional Delegation, Harare; Email: francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone +263.4.70.61.55, +263.4.72.03.15; Fax +263.4.70.87.84
In Geneva: John Roche, Federation Regional Officer for Southern Africa, Africa Dept., Geneva Email: john.roche@ifrc.org; Phone +41.22.730.44.00; Fax +41.22.733.03.95
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
Notes:
(1) In Portuguese: Instituto Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades (INGC)