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Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Flooding DREF n° MDRZW012 Operations Update No. 2

Attachments

Following the impact of TD Ex-Dineo, IFRC launched a DREF for CHF 108,204 on 22 February 2017 to support the NS to an initial rapid needs assessment, deliver relief supplies to the affected population, and replenish Zimbabwe Red Cross Society stock. An Emergency Needs Assessment (ENA) was conducted in five provinces and ascertained the extent of the damage and related needs. This update proposes a review of the DREF timeframe, scope and budget, to allow the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to provide assistance to the affected population based on the results of the assessment and to replenish the stocks that were distributed. Therefore, the NS has revised the budget to CHF 102,992 that reflects the actual needs and the cost of items that were used for distributions. To be able to finalise the stock replenishment a one month timeframe extension is requested.

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

Between January and March 2017, Zimbabwe experienced severe flooding across 37 districts of the country, which damaged local infrastructure, livelihoods, transportation routes, and homes. The aboveaverage precipitation during this period was exacerbated by the rains brought about by tropical depression “Ex-Dineo”, which caused significant flooding particularly in the southern parts of Zimbabwe. Originating from the Mozambique Channel, Tropical Cyclone Dineo (CAT I) made landfall in Mozambique on 15 February 2017 near Inhambane, southern Mozambique bringing with it strong winds exceeding 100km/hr, torrential rain, and very rough seas. The system was down-graded to a tropical depression upon making landfall, however it continued its trajectory westwards and entered Zimbabwean territory on 16 February.

From Zimbabwe Red Cross’ initial rapid, multi-sectoral assessment, some 12,772 individuals were identified as being directly affected by the flooding resultant from Cyclone Dineo. However, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office estimated that between January and March 2017, some 160,000 people have been impacted by floods, which has resulted in nearly 2,000 displaced 859 of whom are displaced to a camp in Tsholostho in Matabeleland North. The RC’s Office estimates that nearly 2,600 houses have been damaged and more than 100 households are at risk of flooding while, due to lightning strikes,landslides, and lightning, some 126 have been killed and 128 injured.

Additionally, more than 140 community and privately-owned dams have breached resulting in damage to downstream infrastructure, especially in Matabeleland (South and North) and Midlands Provinces. Flood monitoring equipment has been destroyed, hindering effective flood early warning actions. Nearly all districts have reported damage to road and collapsed bridges, rending the areas inaccessible. Five health institutions have been destroyed by the floods and require shelter materials and personnel for the increased patient load. The Government estimates that over 100,000 people are without safe drinking water following damage to water supply infrastructure by the floods. There is an increased potential for the outbreak of water and vector borne diseases including malaria, cholera and measles. More than 90 per cent of small-scale miners in heavily affected areas have lost their livelihoods as mine working are inundated in water.

As the magnitude of this flood emergency, exacerbated by TD Ex-Dineo, has exceeded the capacity of national resources to address, on 3 March 2017, the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) declared a state of national disaster and subsequently launched a Domestic and International Flood Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance. The GoZ estimates that USD 189 million will be required to address emergency, medium, and long-term needs associated with the flood emergency.

This operations update seeks to extend the DREF Operation for one month—ending on 20 May 2017—to provide adequate time for procurement and replenishment of ZRCS stock.