OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Malawi - Floods
19 April 2001


This report is based on information received from the UN Resident
Coordinator's Office in Malawi.

Situation

1.  Moderate rainfall was registered in most parts of the country at the
beginning of the month.  Rainfall is expected to decline as the rainy
season is coming to an end.  Flooding and waterlogging conditions eased in
the Southern Region, while additional flooding was reported in the Central
(Kasungu district)  and Northern Regions (Karonga and Rumphi districts).
The latest estimate shows that over 500,000 people have been affected.
UNICEF estimates that among them, 260,000 women and 100,000 children under
five years of age have been affected.

2.  WFP launched a three-month Emergency Operation Programme (EMOP) on 3
April, appealing for USD 3.3 million (OCHA Situation Report no.6 para.3).
The programme targets 208,500 people in the hardest hit districts of
Nsanje, Chikwawa, Salima, Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba and Phalombe.  The
Department of Disaster Preparedness, Rehabilitation and Relief (DDPRR) and
other agencies will target the rest of the affected areas.  During a
recent visit to Phalombe and Nsanje, the UN Resident Coordinator, WHO
Representative and WFP Advisor identified signs of malnutrition among the
children in a 'camp' at Nsanje Boma.  Donors are urged to make a
contribution to food sector so that the nutritional status of the victims,
especially that of women and children does not deteriorate further.


National Assistance

3.  The Government continues to distribute relief items such as maize,
salt, beans, plastic sheets, and plastic buckets.


International Assistance

4.  To date, the Governments of Botswana, Canada, China, Germany, Norway,
Sweden and 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.  As of 19 April, OCHA recorded USD 833,258.

5.  WFP Logistics Unit completed its preparatory arrangements for the
up-coming EMOP.  Storage facilities have been identified to pre-position
food for distribution.

6.  UNICEF procured basic drugs for 20 health centres in two districts
(Nsanje and Salima) and some school materials for five schools.  Together
with the Malawi Red Cross and the Save the Children UK, UNICEF is
distributing these items and blankets procured with the funds from the
Government of Norway and OCHA.  UNICEF will also provide 90 metric tons of
Likuni phala (supplementary feeding)  through WFP to assist some 10,416
children under five years old.

7.  Following the food assessment mission, FAO is seeking USD 350,000 for
purchase of seeds, tools and veterinary drugs for distribution to the
affected farmers in the Southern Region.

8.  WHO mobilised USD 30,000 for the purchase of drugs and medicines that
will be handed to the Ministry of Health and Population for distribution
to the affected people.

9.  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 -
Malawi - floods 2001". OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and
pertinent details concerning the utilisation of the funds contributed

10.  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.

11.  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

Focal Points Mr. J. Boutroue (Chief, Africa I and the Middle East) and Ms.
Y. Sawada (Desk Officer) direct Tel. +41 22 917 1438/1768

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


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