From WEEKLY NEWS 12/00
23 March 2000
Although renewed flooding in some parts
of Mozambique held up relief distributions this week, the Red Cross has
managed to reach an ever greater number of flood victims. The main road
into the town of Chokwe in Gaza province was once again cut by flood waters
earlier in the week, slowing down the aid operation. But with major roads
re-opening elsewhere in the region, the Red Cross managed to extend
its reach, helping up to 70,000 people in the Limpopo basin alone. Continued
heavy rainfall in the Save river region has meant a project to chlorinate
2,500 wells in Nova Mambone remains on hold. But with waters generally
receding around the flood-affected provinces, water sanitation projects
have taken on an even greater sense of urgency as people return to their
homes and are without clean water. A Red Cross rehabilitation assessment
mission begins this weekend to devise a six-month plan which will also
look into preparing against any future flood disaster. The sheer scale
of the disaster and the long-term needs of the people will prompt a revision
of the Federation appeal for Mozambique.
WEEKLY NEWS IS PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES
17 Chemin des Crêts, Geneva
Tel: (41 22) 730 4222
Fax: (41 22) 733 0395
E-mail: weeklynews@ifrc.org