The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator
for Mozambique, Ross Mountain, today presented to donors in Geneva the
appeal launched last week for $102 million towards emergency and rehabilitation
activities in the flood-stricken country.
At the meeting, Mr. Mountain stressed
the importance of funding the World Food Programme's $10 million portion
of the appeal toward air transportation for a one-month rescue and aid
delivery operation.
According to a UN spokesman, the availability of air transportation will be essential after the imminent withdrawal of the military presence on the ground. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is also making arrangements to ensure a continued presence in Mozambique, where more than 650,000 people have been affected by the flood crisis.
The situation in other countries affected by the floods -- Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Botswana - was also reviewed at the donors meeting in Geneva.