OCHA Situation Report No. 9
Mozambique: Floods
26 February 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Over the next 24 hours, as a result of Tropical Cyclone Favio, the
coastal regions in the provinces of Inhambane and Sofala could continue
to face moderate rains and strong winds. In the areas of Buzi, Pungoe
and Zambeze, an increase in the water levels is predicted as a result of
the cyclone.

The progresses of two more cyclones formed in the Indian Ocean are being
monitored: Tropical Cyclone Gamede and Humba. Gamede is forecast to
develop into a category 2 cyclone heading towards north-eastern
Madagascar, while Humba is forecast to develop into a category 1 cyclone
moving south-west towards Madagascar.

The discharge rate from Cahora Bassa was decreased to 2,500 m3/s as of
22 February. In spite of localized rains and wind due to the cyclone,
the waters are receding in flood affected areas.

After the cyclone, accommodation is scarce in Vilanculos. People are
sharing houses and living in tents. Public health and accommodation are
major priorities for those affected by the cyclone.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. According to the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) at
least 40,000 people were affected by the cyclone. This comes after over
140,000 people were displaced by the floods in the Zambezi valley,
following heavy rains in Mozambique and neighbouring countries earlier
this month.

RESPONSE

2. Following the devastation caused by the tropical cyclone Favio early
this week, Mozambique Head of State, Armando Guebuza, is visiting one of
the most affected areas, Vilanculos, on Monday 26. The objective of the
visit is to evaluate the emergency situation and decide what cause of
action should be taken to adequately respond.

3. Health Minister, Dr. Ivo Garrido, also visited the area last week. A
multi-sectoral assessment is ongoing in cyclone affected areas by
representatives of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the
Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, WFP, WHO, UNICEF and
the Mozambican Red Cross (CVM).

FUNDING

4. Under the framework of the IASC Cluster Approach, a request to the
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), developed by cluster teams
established to support the emergency response, was submitted to the CERF
Secretariat on 20 February. The preliminary response indicated a total
amount of US$ 7,624,919 was approved.

LOGISTICS CLUSTER

5. The overall action plan developed by the INGC in Caia, with the
support of UNICEF and WFP, to guide the distribution of supplies,
continues to be monitored during the de-briefing sessions at the Central
Operations Centre in Caia. The humanitarian community in Maputo is
providing the INGC with the status of emergency supplies on a regular
basis.

HEALTH CLUSTER

6. As part of the Inter Agency Standing Committee's efforts to assess
the needs of those affected by floods in the Zambezi valley, four teams
conducted health needs assessment in the four most affected provinces of
Sofala, Manica, Zambezia and Tete. Each team was composed by MoH and WHO
staff, as well as an expert from the IASC. Apart from the government and
NGOs, the teams also worked closely with UNICEF and WFP.

7. The most urgent needs identified are: shelter, food, water,
sanitation facilities, health facilities for primary care, psychological
counseling, health education and hygiene promotion.

8. Although there are no reported epidemic disease outbreaks in the
camps, it is feared that without adequate food, water supply and
sanitation, transmitted diseases can break out and spread rapidly. Thus,
accommodation centers have to be tutored on the appropriate use of
latrines and other sanitary facilities being put up in the camp, in
order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

9. There are some interventions already in place albeit at differing
stages of implementation such as: Vitamin A supplementation, nutritional
supplements, health education and communication on cholera and other
diarrhoeal diseases and distribution of hygiene kits.  There is need for
thermometers, drugs for primary health care, disease surveillance
strengthening through a minimum referral system, health promotion and
personal hygiene.

10. In Mopeia, the UNICEF team is working to mobilise additional ITNs
from partners including the local health authorities and Save the
Children. The available ITNs are being prioritised for young children
and pregnant women. The local health authorities have begun Indoor
Residual house Spraying (IRS) in centres in the area.

NUTRITION CLUSTER

11. In Caia, UNICEF has met with the National Directors of Health and
Medical Assistance to clarify nutrition screening procedures under the
supplementary feeding programme. UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of
Health in providing more detailed guidelines on infant and young child
feeding, and support for pregnant and lactating women to the local
health authorities and NGO partners involved in the supplementary
feeding programme.

FOOD CLUSTER

12. The WFP Logistics Officer has been deployed to Vilanculos to prepare
for the food aid components of to the response to the cyclone. Food
would be supplied from Maputo. Another officer from WFP in Inhambane is
coordinating with provincial authorities and in standby to help with
telecommunications.

COORDINATION

13. The INGC in Vilanculos began holding coordination meetings on 24
February. Four clusters have been established to support the response:
Information and Planning ? led by INGC; Communication ? led by INGC;
Infrastructure (including water and sanitation, transport and energy) ?
led by the Ministry of Public Works, and Housing and Social Services ?
led by WHO.

14. A donor briefing will take place on 27 February to provide the
donors with information on the current situation, the response from the
United Nations and the wider Humanitarian Community as well as the plans
for the immediate future.

15. Teams composed of governmental and non-governmental partners
(including the Ministry of Health, SETSAN/VAC, UNICEF, WFP, FAO and
USAID/FEWSNET) have completed the data collection stage of the
multi-sectoral assessment to build upon initial assessments in flood
affected areas. The preliminary findings of the assessment were shared
in the Humanitarian Coordination meeting 24 February.

16. The Multi Sector assessment informed the meeting of the findings of
four (of the eight initially planned) districts. There is generally good
coordination among government institutions and partners in Caia, but
there are concerns on how to avoid premature return of population to
their homes. The assessment reconfirmed that most accommodation centres
are not accessible by car, and some not even by boat. Other findings
are:

- Shortage of soap in all accommodation centres.

- People are still moving to the centres to benefit from emergency
supplies, especially in Mutarara (Tete province)

- The registration process needs to be improved to avoid repeaters and
determine the real damages that people suffered.

- Water and sanitation is a concern that continues to be addressed.

- Communication is still limited outside Caia.

- Local entrepreneurs could help with their tractors, but fuel is
lacking.

17.Cross-cutting issues like HIV/Aids and Gender need to be incorporated
in the response, and relevant agencies need to be more involved, it was
emphasized at Humanitarian meeting.

Contact Details:

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

UN Resident Coordinator (Mozambique)
  Mr. Ndolamb Ngokwey
   Tel: +258-21-485-158

OCHA Regional Office for Southern Africa (South Africa)
  Mr. Jean-Luc Tonglet
   Tel: + 27-11-517-1595

Desk Officer (New York)
  Ms. Mette Tangen
   Tel: + 1-917-367-3001

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel: +1-917-367-5126

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