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Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 2


Ref: OCHA/GVA/2000/0041
Zimbabwe - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 2

4 March 2000

Emergency Appeal

1. The Government has now appealed for a total of 21.2 US$ emergency assistance to meet humanitarian needs in the form of food, shelter, potable water, clothing and emergency medical supplies

2. The floods have affected 500,000 people. 25,000 people are estimated to require urgently assistance. This figure includes 20, 000 displaced people. As of now, over 70 people have lost their lives due to the floods.

3. Below is a list of identified requirements. Efforts are underway to prove further breakdowns by sector which will be communicated shortly.

Emergency Needs Identified (Subject to change as more areas become accessible)

Items Quantity Unit Cost
Zim ($)
Unit Cost
USD ($)
Total Cost
ZIM ($)
Total Cost
USD ($)
Food (3 months supply)
250,000
1,500
38
375,000,000
9,615,385
Tents
12,000
1,600
41
19,200,000
492,308
Blankets
45,000
300
8
13,500,000
346,154
Temp. Toilets
4,000
2,000
51
8,000,000
205,128
Washing soap
250,000
50
1
12,500,000
320,513
Plastic Water Containers
100,000
150
4
15,000,000
384,615
Pots & Plates (Sets)
8,000
1,500
38
12,000,000
307,692
Organic Stoves
8,000
1,860
48
14,880,000
381,538
Clothing
40,000
500
13
20,000,000
512,821
Chlorine (MT)
20
78,000
2,000
1,560,000
40,000
Plastic Sheeting (Square Meters)
100,000
1,700
44
170,000,000
4,358,974
Generators
25
250,000
6,410
6,250,000
160,256
Medical & Surgical Items, incl. drugs
12,500,000
320,513
Water bousers
2,000,000
51,282
Roofs for clinics & schools
4,000,000
102,564
Mosquito repellants
10,000,000
256,410
Essential Services: Primary Health Clinics
80,000,000
2,051,282
Support to Schools
50,000,000
1,282,051
Grand Total
826,390,000
21,189,487

Background (also refer to OCHA Situation report No.1)

4. Cyclone Eline, which reached Zimbabwe on February 22nd , was preceded by extensive rainfall, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the country. The heavy rains, which tapered off on March 1st, together with the cyclone and the ensuing floods have had a devastating affect on communities, crops and livestock, infrastructure and the environment.

5. The country's major rivers, including the Limpopo, Save, Mutirikwi and Runde, overran their banks, destroying homes, bridges, dams, roads, schools, clinics and farmland. The damage to infrastructure is extensive. As the flooding continues, so too does the destruction. Assistance from the international community is urgently needed to meet the pressing needs of those vulnerable people most affected by the flood destruction.

Preliminary Description of the Devastation

Masvingo Province

The greatest damage in this province occurred in Chiredzi district, where approximately 2,500 homes were destroyed and over 1,000 livestocklost. Over 500 kilometres of roads were destroyed, as well as 11 bridges and 2 dams. Over 3,500 hectares of farmland were flooded, leading to a loss of Zim $ 63 million of crops (USD $1.6 million).

Matebeleland South Province

Over 16,000 livestock were lost and crops worth Zim $ 580 million (USD $14.9 million) on 26,000 hectares were washed away. In addition, 61 dams, 98 schools and 42 clinics were damaged, and 51 bridges and 13,000 granaries were destroyed.

Manicaland Province

Unprecedented damage was suffered in this province; 25 major bridges were damaged which will cost in excess of Zim $ 200 million (USD $5.1 million) to repair. 2,000 kilometres of road and 9 dams were damaged. Some 1,300 homes were destroyed, and crops worth Zim $2 billion (USD $51.3 million) were lost.

Midlands

In Mberengwa district, the Mataga dam was breached, which led to the evacuation of over one thousand people to safety. There was also considerable damage to the road network in this province, as well as to dams and other infrastructure.

National and International Response

6. The Government has been providing emergency assistance to those most affected by the disaster through the Civil Protection Department in the Ministry of Local Government and National Housing. In addition, local communities, church organizations and the private and civil society at large sector have responded positively.

7. The Red Cross, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), among others, are in various stages of assisting with the disaster needs. The United Nations Country Team for Zimbabwe has been active in the coordination and assessment efforts. Plans are underway for follow-up actions.

8. The Government has expressed its appreciation of the support received so far and urges the international community o come to the assistance of the flood victims.

9. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in co-ordination with the relevant organisations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA Account No. CO-590.160.1 SWIFT-code UBSWCHZ12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: OCHA - Zimbabwe - Floods 2000.

10. For co-ordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding value by item.

11. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone number: + 41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: + 41 22 917 2010

Desk Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing, Head, Africa Desk, Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel: + 41 22 917 22 70 & 41 22 917 1768

Contact person for the media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct tel: +41-22-917-2653
Telex 41 42 42 ocha ch
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

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