Mozambique: INGC Situation Report 14 Mar 2000

Instituto Nacional de Gestao das Calamidades

1. Evolution of the Floods

The Limpopo River is continuing to register slight decreases, however it remains over 1 metre above the critical level at the station in Congumune.

It is expected that the heavy rains in the central regions of the country will create a slight rise in the levels of the rivers in this area. This may cause some localised flooding along the Save and Buzi Rivers (both of which registered slight rises in the past 24 hours). If the flow into the Chicamba Dam on the Buzi River continues at its current rate, the dam will be forced to make discharges over the weekend.

The situation in the Zambeze Valley is fairly stable. Reports indicate that the Kariba dam will be closing one of its three sluice gates, thereby reducing the discharges into the Zambeze River (from 10,000m3/s to 4,000m3/s).

2. Current Meteorological Forecast

Over the past 24 hours, rains have been registered all over the country, being particularly strong in the southern region of the country and along the coast of Nampula Province.

The surface low has weakened and moved inland of Beira. This will cause widespread rain and thundershowers in and around Beira, Vilankulos and Inhambane for the next three days. This surface low will gradually weaken, whilst moving in a south-easterly direction, until 18/03/2000.

3. Urgent Information

Water is urgently needed in Mark’s camp (24.48.27 S; 33.34.19 E).

The villages of Bombofo and 25th September (Gaza) urgently require food assistance. The water supply system in both villages also needs to be rapidly repaired.

4. Relief Action Underway

Yesterday a total of 112.77 tons of relief items were airlifted by the various Air Forces (excluding data from the Portuguese and USAF). Today’s operations will concentrate around Beira, Chinuto, Vilankulos and Palmeira.

Relief efforts in the Save River area were delayed until 14:00hrs yesterday due to the heavy rains around Beira.

• By air, 11 tons of food were distributed to the populations in Marupanhe, Mabloco and Machanga.
• By road, a total of 740kg of relief items were taken to Mahave and Mambule (369 litres of water, 80kg biscuits, and 300kgs of plastic sheeting).
• By boat, 5,495kg of food and other relief items were distributed to 6,320 people. Unfortunately, the boats could not reach Nova Mambone due to the weather conditions.

Evaluations carried out along the River Save indicate that the most urgent needs are for medicines, plastic sheeting/tarpaulins, blankets, sugar and salt. It has been reported that the number of people along the riverbanks appears to have increased over the last few days.

A team from the German Red Cross has arrived in Inhambane, and will be working in co-operation with CARE.

5. Reports from Sector Desks

Food

Yesterday, 115 tons of food aid were delivered to various distribution points. Of this, 53 tons have been pre-positioned in Mutarara as a precautionary measure against localised flooding in Tete Province.

The sector is aiming to improve co-ordination at field level, and daily co-ordination meetings are now being held with local authorities and NGOs in key food distribution locations. These meetings will also aim to consolidate information on camps and beneficiary numbers.

Issues that need to be addressed:

• Food rations are insufficient, and children under five are particularly vulnerable. Supplementary rations need to be introduced into the centres and camps.
• More information is needed on food requirements in the accommodation centres and camps, as well as on how the food is being prepared and consumed.

Agriculture

One of MAP’s priorities will be to guarantee that the type and quality of seeds entering the country under the emergency programme match the needs of the affected population. Past experiences have highlighted the negative effects of distributing poor quality or unsuitable seeds.

Health

The priority for this week will be the vaccination campaigns against measles (in children under five years) and meningitis. MISAU will require the support of all trained medical technicians working in the field in order to complete this operation. UNICEF is currently working with MISAU to co-ordinate collaborating agencies.

Epidemiological Data:

• Sofala Province: 1,408 cases of cholera (6 deaths)
• Maputo City: 402 cases of cholera (5 deaths). On Sunday (12/03/2000) a Cholera Clinic was opened at Mavalane General Hospital as a precautionary measure. A further Cholera Tent has just been installed at Jose Macamo Hospital.
• Maputo City: there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of diarrhoea.
• Pande camp: there are worries about the possibility of cholera spreading in this camp. Work is underway to identify a suitable site for a new camp, to which part of the present population might be moved.
• Save: Statistical data shows that the number of cases of malaria and diarrhoea has increased over the past few weeks:

This week a DHA team will be travelling to Chókwè to evaluate the environmental situation and to test the water quality in the existing water sources.

The Association for Children, Family and Development will be assisting the Sábié District Health Authorities with transport and logistics support to enable them to reach the least inaccessible areas of the district. This will include the transport of personnel and equipment to areas such as Mgunwé, Macaiene, Babtine, Ndindiza, Ligongolo, Mafufine, Valha, Chinhanguanine, and Malengane.

Water/Sanitation

Main activities:

• The water supply system in Chókwè is now partially working (1 in 3 wells operational). Although the whole system will eventually need to be thoroughly disinfected, the water can be used in the meantime with chlorine or purification tablets (or another disinfectant method). Water is still being distributed by tank to the town.
• An assessment is being carried out in Sábie and Chibuto
• A Sweetwater Treatment Kit (600 litres/hour) is available. It has not yet been decided where this should be placed.

Shelter/Accommodation Centres/Non-Food Items

Distribution of non-food items

13/03/2000

• Chibuto 1,750 blankets & 10 tents
• Chacalane 750 blankets

14/03/2000

• Caniçado 1,250 blankets & 100 buckets
• Jovanhane 20 rolls of plastic sheeting
• Chinhacane 1,250 blankets
• Chibuto 750 blankets

The resettlement of the displaced population is being discussed within this sector. Two sub-groups have been created to investigate different aspects of the resettlement:

1. Composition and cost of kits to be distributed

2. Methodology and criteria for distribution

Samora Machel Accommodation Centre, Chibuto

There are now 2,992 people at this centre (opened 03/03/2000). The most urgent needs are for:

• Food: need more food, salt
• Shelter: 30 family size tents
• Non-food items: 1,500 blankets, 25 x 30 litre pans, soap, firewood
• Water: drinking water currently being tanked in from 15 km away (Chadgue)

SCF, UNICEF, Acção Social, CVM and MSF are currently working here.

Mark’s Camp, Ntsanza, Chókwè

There are 456 people in this camp, which is being run with assistance from the organisation Youth for Christ. The camp urgently needs a water purification system and medical supplies (high power microscope with "difquick" for malaria, potassium infusion system, steriliser for surgical instruments, disinfectant, 2 desks and 3 chairs).

Acção Cristão, HUMEDICA (Tel: 440154), Airserv and RAPID are also supporting the camp.

Zuza, Chókwè (7.5km from Mark’s Camp)

There are 1,380 displaced people within this village, mostly accommodated by resident families from the village. Most crops have been destroyed, and the village urgently requires food assistance.

Obrigado Tanzania, Tchaque, Massingir

There are 1,800 people in this village, and as yet they have received no assistance. Their crops have been destroyed and food assistance is required. They also need blankets, construction materials, seeds and agricultural utensils, and health assistance.

Three new accommodation centres have been identified along the Save River in Chindetane, Maluvane and Machacane. There are a total of 2,000 people in these camps.

Logistics

For information about transport arrangements, please contact Wilfred De Brouwer on 082 316439.

Chibuto Airstrip

Whether or not the Chibuto airstrip can be used for relief operations remains in dispute. A German Army assessment team travelled there yesterday and report that the airstrip can be used by C-160 aircraft. Although there is some minor damage, this will not impede landing or taking off, and could be repaired at a later date.

The Civil Aviation Authorities of Mozambique maintain that serious damages will be caused if the C-160s continue to land there.

As the C-160s currently lift approximately 50 tons of relief goods to Chibuto per day, the closure of this airstrip would severely hinder the relief operations. A final decision is yet to be announced.

INGC Warehouse

As yet, there has been no response to the question of opening times of the INGC warehouse. The warehouse in question has been temporarily rented from a private company and as such arrangements to extend the opening hours will have to be made with them. The INGC logistics department has been made aware of the problem.

6. Resettlement/Rehabilitation Issues

Landmines

The IND announced that certain areas in the South and Central regions of the country might be affected by the problem of displaced anti-personnel mines. The priority provinces are Maputo (Moamba, Manhiça, Matutuine), Gaza (Massingir, Chibuto, Chókwè), Inhambane (Inhassoro, Govuro), Sofala (Buzi, Machanga, Chibabava), and Manica (Moussorize, Machaze).

A four-month emergency programme has been drawn up. This will be supported by UNDP, Handicap International, and Norwegian People's Aid. The main components of the programme include:

• Identification of densely populated areas
• Collection of data regarding the likely effect of the floods on landmine locations
• Awareness raising among the population
• Creation of teams responsible for rapid identification and destruction of landmines moved by the floodwaters

7. Evaluation Reports

Concern Worldwide/Chókwè District Authorities

Bombofo

There are a total of 945 families in this village (360 displaced families, 585 displaced families). Most of the displaced families have been staying with local families, however 200 tents are still required. The other priority needs are for food and medicine. The water is reportedly salty, and no sanitation measures are being taken. All the crops have been destroyed.

Manjangue

There are 4,185 people gathered here, of which 1,500 are from Chókwè. The priority needs are for food, cooking equipment, tents, children’s clothes and medicines. All bean crops have been lost, and the population requested assistance in the provision of seeds and the rehabilitation of the school.

Chinahacanine

There are 7,390 people here (officially, but from the air appeared to be significantly less - about half this figure), all from the town of Barragen (which appears from the air to be heavily damaged). The priority needs are for food, (salt and beans - have maize), children’s clothes, boat, seeds and agricultural tools. More latrines also need to be provided.

25th September

Although there are no displaced people in this village, the population of 2,500 is totally isolated and requires assistance. The priority needs are food, medicine and seeds. The 3 water pumps are no longer working and people are drinking muddy river water. Most of their crops have been destroyed.

This report was produced by the INGC Co-ordination Centre with assistance from MSF-CIS, and incorporates information provided by INAM, DNA-DRC, WFP, UNICEF and other participating agencies.