Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 12

Ref: OCHA/GVA-2000/0039
OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Mozambique - Floods
2 March 2000

Situation

1. In Gaza province, in Chokwe, the water level appears to be decreasing slightly. In Xai-Xai, the water level had dropped to 9.88 m, which is still 5 m above a critical level. The flow of water under Beit Bridge (border between South Africa and Mozambique) has slightly dropped.

2. According to the evaluation mission by UNICEF on 29 February, the situation in Xai-Xai is critical and worsening. Lower Xai-Xai is totally underwater, and the population from these areas has moved into the higher ground. Among those rescued, some 2,500 families (15,000 people) are without proper shelter. The provincial government is planning to set up shelters in 6 or 7 key locations. The lack of communication within the province has been the major difficulty. It is estimated that around 80,000-90,000 people in the Limpopo Valley need assistance, while their exact location is unknown.

3. In Gaza province, over 30,000 people are in Chacalane, 20,000 are estimated to be in camps. In Macia, 6,000 displaced persons are sheltered in two camps. The total number of affected people in Gaza province is yet unknown. There are reports that there are large numbers of people along the Mapalace-Chacalane road.

4. In Sofala province, there has been slight flooding in the lower Buzi valley. As the Chicamaba dam continues to discharge water, the situation may worsen.

5. In Manica, Sofala and Zambezia provinces, the discharge from the Kariba dam has increased. However, according to the authorities, Cahorra Bassa dam could cope with the current level of overflowing from the Kariba dam for 2 months. The River Chiré, a tributary of the Zambezi River, is now rising, which is closely monitored.

6. In Inhambane province, in Nova Mambone, 700 people are sheltered in accommodation centers. Approximately 3,000 displaced people are gathered around the Catholic Mission. In Pande, there are approximately 1,000 people at the Emergency Reception Center. In Save, INGC is continuing to register people coming to the town. There are 3,000 persons.

7. The South Africa National Defense Force (SANDF) worked in and around Chokwe, Canicado and Chibuto to rescue another 922 persons (as of 29 February). In addition, 26.2 tons of food were transported from Palameiras to Magul. Two Oryx helicopters have been used for rescue operations, while another two Oryx helicopters and two BK 117s helicopters have been used for delivery of relief items from Chibuto to Xai-Xai. SANDF will remain at its current operations level until Sunday, 5 March.

8. Fuel for boats in Gaza and Inhambane remains a priority (Situation Report No.11 para 8 refers).

International Response

9. The UN Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination (UNDAC) Team is providing substantive assistance to INGC Co-ordination Centre. The Team is now focusing on obtaining and clarifying the following information:

• Location of the critically affected areas, especially the newly affected areas on the Save river;
• The number of directly affected;
• Total transport assets (air, road and water)
• Areas still accessible by road
• Quantity of food, shelter materials, medical supplies and non food items in Mozambique.

Contributions

10. The Swiss Government released USD 250,000 to UNICEF and USD 200,000 to WFP. Another USD 200,000 have been released bilaterally.

11. Oxfam allocated 12 boats waiting to be cleared from customs. 5 more boats are planned to be procured.

12. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in co-ordination with the relevant organisations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA Account No. CO-590.160.1 SWIFT-code UBSWCHZ12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: OCHA - Mozambique - Floods 2000.

13. For co-ordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding value by item.

14. Any future updates on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.

15. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone number: + 41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: + 41 22 917 2010

Desk Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing/Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel: +41 22 917 2270/+41 22 917 1768

Contact person for the media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct tel: +41-22-917-2653

Telex 41 42 42 ocha ch
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org