OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Zimbabwe - Floods
26 March 2001


Situation

1.  Rains and floods continue over large parts of Zimbabwe, affecting more
than 30,000 people. Thirteen people lost their lives. The worst affected
areas are the northeastern provinces of Mashonaland Central (Muzarabani
and Guruve districts) and Matabeleland North (Tsholotsho district). Though
losses are not quantified, the floods particularly affected granaries,
crops and roads. At the same time, drought is affecting the southern
regions, already stricken by previous floods, threatening food security.
An estimated 600,000 people have been affected by drought.


Response

2.  Following a first appeal, seeking USD 1.77 million, launched on Monday
12 March, the Government of Zimbabwe is now appealing for USD 16.9
million. Authorities are carrying out assessments to provide more detailed
requirements. So far, immediate requirements for the flood victims are
food, shelter, health/sanitation and clothing.

3.  Shelter equipment is urgently required to relocate the floods victims
and to transfer them into medium term shelters (two-roomed houses) on high
grounds. In order to avoid disease outbreaks, water purification equipment
as well as drugs and medicines will be needed. In that connection, there
is an urgent requirement for sanitation equipment and bars of soap.
Clothing and blankets (2 per person) are also required for 30,000 persons.

4.  Transport and repair of the road network are another priority. The
acquisition of vehicles will allow the Civil Protection and Drought
Management Units of the Government to assess and monitor the affected
areas. Due to a lack of these, authorities have been forced to hire them
at high prices.

5.  So far, international response to floods, as recorded by OCHA, amounts
to USD 51,263. Muzarabani and Guruve districts mainly benefited from these
contributions. Among these, SCF made a contribution of 600 packs of
non-food items and 1000 packs of food stuffs both worth USD 36,363 as well
as one tonne of maize meal. For national response, the Zimbabwe Red Cross
made available USD 14,900 for food items. The Commercial Farmers Union
provided eight tonnes of maize, transport as well as milling and packaging
facilities donated maize meal.

6.  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 -
Zimbabwe - floods 2001". OCHA provides donors with written confirmation
and pertinent details concerning the utilisation of the funds contributed.

7.  Any future updates 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.

8.  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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