'I urge Australians to give what support
they can to aid agencies providing emergency relief to the flood-stricken
people of Mozambique,' says Ms Janet Hunt, Executive Director of the Australian
Council for Overseas Aid.
'While the immediate priority is to
evacuate people to high land, clearly thousands have lost everything, and
will need aid to survive.'
'Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. This natural disaster is a tragedy for its people who were in the process of rebuilding their lives and the infrastructure of their country following drought, famine and two decades of internal conflict.
'Apart from the unknown toll on human life, this latest widespread destruction of crops and livestock will result in acute food shortages. The floodwaters have already increased the incidence of malaria and cholera. Further disease outbreaks are feared.
'Many Australian aid agencies have been working in Mozambique for extended periods and are therefore in the position to be able to respond quickly.
'Cash donations from the public are urgently required to enable to agencies to maximise their emergency relief capabilities,' explained Ms Hunt.
The following agencies are signatories to the ACFOA Code of Conduct and have launched emergency appeals to raise money to help the people of Mozambique:
ADRA Australia 1800 242 372
AngliCORD 1800 249 880
Australian Red Cross 1800 811 700
Australian Lutheran World Service 02 6021 5329
Australian Volunteers International 1800 331 292
CAA Oxfam Australia 1800 088 110
CARE Australia 1800 020 046
Caritas Australia 1800 024 413
Marist Mission Centre 02 9816 3187
National Council of Churches in Australia 1800 025 101
SIMAID 02 9525 8355
TEAR Australia 1800 244 986
UNICEF Australia 1800 025 192
World Vision Australia 13 32 40
Contact: Janet Hunt, Executive Director ph: (02) 6281 9216 (w) 0411 868 174 (m)