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CWS situation report: Mozambique floods

Residents salvage scraps from their homes on the flooded banks of the Zambezi River in Caia, central Mozambique, January 13, 2008. Photo: REUTERS/Grant Lee Neuenburg, courtesy www.alertnet.org

January 16, 2008

Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has resulted in floods affecting a large portion of central Mozambique. The floods have already killed seven people and have displaced tens of thousands, the Reuters news agency reported today.

Worst-hit are communities along the major rivers -- the Zambezi, Buzi, and Pungue -- as well as smaller connecting rivers. The intense rainfall, coupled with the early and increased release of upstream water from dams outside and inside Mozambique, has already caused flooding in the areas of Muturara (Tete province) and Chinde (Zambézia province). Other high-risk zones: Tambara (Manica province), Chemba, Caia, Marromeu (Sofala province), Morrumbala & Mopeia (Zambézia province).

The central government's emergency coordinating body (INGC in its Portuguese acronym) has said that the current floods -- coming as they do amid the country's January-March rainy season -- pose a potentially greater threat to the country than floods in 2000 and 2001, which killed some 700 people and caused $500 million in property damage.

That fear was repeated today by the United Nations, with UN spokesman Luis Zaqueu saying: "Because the rains started earlier than predicted and the high water levels -- which are getting higher each moment -- the situation is likely to be worse than in 2000-2001," Reuters reported.

The potentially endangered area now is larger than in prior years, and densely populated with those engaged in agricultural and fishing economies. Already some 45,000 are displaced by the flooding and up to 1 million are in some way affected by the floods, including lack of accessibility to roads and growing levels of water-borne diseases.

Under the coordination of INGC, people are being encouraged to relocate to permanent resettlement areas, where organizations are working to accommodate needs. A national plan of relocation has been on-going, but not all of those living in the affected areas are ready to leave. Government authorities have issued warnings on the threats of cholera, malaria and other diseases.

CWS RESPONSE: Church World Service is working with Action by Churches Together (ACT) partners in Mozambique to coordinate a response done in concert with government authorities. Among actions already taken: initial assessments of needs and provision of warehoused goods including blankets, soap, jerry cans, kitchen pots and water purification kits

Longer-term response is expected to include community rehabilitation work and food security programs, including seeds and tools distribution. Also: housing reconstruction.

CWS anticipates an appeal for support will be issued.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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