Heavy rains in Mozambique have begun earlier than predicted, causing the Zambezi River to overflow, which has resulted in devastating floods. The United Nations warned last week that Mozambique's floods could be the worst in recent memory. During the last several days, 50,000 people have been displaced-losing their homes and possessions.
The situation is serious. More rainfall is expected, and if the waters continue to rise, as many as one million people could be affected.
Background
Every year around January, the Zambezi River floods. Its waters make the surrounding land fertile, and many people live close to the floodplains, where they farm, trade and fish. Every five years or so, the Zambezi River stretches beyond its normal flood patterns. This mighty resource then becomes a ruthless threat that destroys crops, homes and livelihoods. People are encouraged to try other ways of making a living, but people are reluctant to leave their fertile but vulnerable lands.
In 2007, the Zambezi Valley was hit by the worst floods since 2001. More than 50,000 people lost their homes. The floods affected the livelihoods of a quarter of a million people. A quick and well-coordinated response was led by the Mozambicans themselves. Displaced families received temporary shelter, education and food support. Throughout this emergency, Concern provided emergency assistance to more than 10,000 affected people.
In January, the floods came again-earlier and heavier than expected. Peak water levels from the severe floods in 2007 have already been surpassed.
Concern's Responds
Concern's first priority: to prevent loss of life. We are supporting our national partners and local authorities to ensure that people living in at-risk areas are being evacuated. This involves providing pragmatic logistical assistance such as fuel and boats or lending cars and motorcycles. Many of the affected areas are difficult to reach: a recent area assessment evacuation of 1,500 families.
Priority no. 2: to ensure that people affected by the floods receive adequate shelter, appropriate water and sanitation facilities, food and health care. We also provide temporary schooling facilities for children displaced from their homes, as well as students kits and support for teachers. We are also assisting the most vulnerable elderly people, orphans and the chronically ill.
The needs created by the flooding are vast and varied; therefore, Concern is working with other NGOs, government institutions and UN agencies, under the leadership of the Mozambican government. In Zambezia and Manica Province, we will be providing joint support to four resettlement zones, and we provide daily updates to the National Disaster Management Institute (NDMI), to ensure that all participants have accurate information about areas and numbers of people affected.
Concern has been working for years in many of the affected areas, and we therefore have a strong infrastructure, with staff and equipment available to respond. We are well known by the people who have been affected, by the government and by the aid community.
Concern will be procuring household and shelter kits with plastic sheeting, buckets, cooking utensils, water purifiers and mosquito nets for displaced families living in temporary camps. Kits for students and teachers will be distributed to enable the school year to start on time.
Concern has set up a temporary base in Caia, to lead emergency operations from there and get immediate access to the latest information. Concern is also bringing a team of our best facilitators to Chinde, seven hours down the river from Caia. This team will help set up the schools for displaced children, and identify and support the most vulnerable.
The cycle of flooding in Mozambique seems to have changed-becoming more frequent and starting earlier. This response is more complex than just relief and recovery. The people living in the Zambezi Valley will be forced to make difficult choices, but Concern will be with them to help.