Salvation Army aid workers in aircraft
and trucks continue to struggle to ferry food and water to thousands of
people made homeless by flood waters that have swept away homes, farms,
roads and bridges in central and southern Mozambique.
Vast areas of Mozambique are submerged,
with just the tips of trees visible above the raging waters. Hundreds of
thousands of people have been driven from their homes with only the clothes
on their backs and are huddled on high ground awaiting food, water and
medical care.
Personnel from The Salvation Army Regional Headquarters in Maputo are striving to do all they can, despite being themselves affected by rising flood water, disruptions in electricity and a lack of drinking water. An emergency response to this massive disaster is being coordinated by The Salvation Army's Southern Africa Territorial Headquarters in Johannesburg. Funds are desperately sought to purchase food and hire transport.
The current operational plan is to fly food purchased by The Salvation Army into the isolated northern provinces with the assistance of the South African Air Force or chartered aircraft. A three-member leadership team has travelled in four-wheel drive vehicles into the hard-hit southern (Maputo) area with soya products, powdered milk, mealie meal and other basic food products. This team will also conduct an in-depth needs assessment and make recommendations for further Salvation Army aid.
International assistance is being coordinated by the International Emergency Services office at Salvation Army International Headquarters in London.
AUTHOR: Captain Mike Olsen
ORIGINAL PUBLICATION: INR 00/14
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