OCHA Situation Report No. 11
Mozambique - Floods
16 March 2001


Situation

1.  As of 15 March, the Kariba dam closed one gate, reducing the release
of water to 3,800 m3/s.  Subsequently, the Cahora Bassa dam's water
discharged decreased to 7,550 m3/s.  Water levels in the Zambezi River
have been fluctuating, but stabilizing. The level of the Pungoe River has
risen again, thus cutting the road linking Beira to Zimbabwe once more.
The level of the Save River dropped to 4.01 m on 14 March, which is still
high, but considered normal for this time of the year. While showers and
thunderstorms are expected towards the weekend, the situation seems to be
improving.

2.  The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) withdrew its air
contingent on 15 March.  The press reported that the SANDF would be
expected to return at short notice should the weather conditions 'alert
for the worse in the Zambezi valley.'

3.  The number of displaced and the number of affected people are being
verified by the Government, the UN and NGOs.  The official figure shows
that 494,500 were affected, of which 89,894 were displaced.  75 deaths
have been registered.  WFP is feeding some 108,000 people in the four
affected provinces (Manica, Tete, Sofala and Zambezia).  It appears that
the numbers are on the increase over the last few days, as people are
moving from isolated areas to receive food assistance as water levels
recede.

4.  On 14 March, news articles reported that food stocks were not
sufficient in accommodation centers in Tete province.  On 15 March, WFP
clarified that there were enough food stocks available in the warehouse at
Mutarara, and no breaks were foreseen in the pipeline.

5.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation convened a meeting with
the diplomatic corps in Maputo on 15 March.  The Minister urged donors to
consider assistance for projects and programmes for disaster mitigation to
reduce the impact of future natural disasters, namely floods and drought,
in Mozambique.  The Government appealed for support to dams, dykes and
platforms over the next few years as preventive measures.  The Minister
also presented to donors a project aiming at strengthening the INGC
disaster management capacity.


International Assistance

6.  The Governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States have
pledged or provided cash and/or in-kind contributions bilaterally or
through NGOs or the UN system to date.

7.  OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used
for immediate relief assistance, in co-ordination/consultation with
relevant organisations in the United Nations system.  Funds should be
transferred to OCHA account no. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at
the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: "OCHA -
Mozambique - floods 2001".  OCHA provides donors with written confirmation
and pertinent details concerning the utilisation of the funds contributed

8.  Information on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking
on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA
Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to
verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values.
Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this
disaster using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format,
available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking
Website.

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

Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
Mr. K. Wiersing / Ms. Y. Sawada / Mr. M. Bonnel
direct Tel.  +41 22 917 2270 / 1768 / 1457

Press contact:
   Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53


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