OCHA Situation Report
Zimbabwe: Floods
21 December 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

Government declares floods a state of disaster.

No new figures. Approximately, 600 households (3,000 individuals), 
displaced / affected as at 18 December 2007.

The situation is under control and assistance from the Government and 
humanitarian community continues to reach the people.

Traditionally flood prone areas in the country like Tsholotsho 
(Matebeleland North), Masvingo, and Chikwarakwara (Matebeleland South) 
being closely monitored by respective districts civil protection 
committees.

Civil Protection Unit is creating a standby roaster of people to manage 
the floods during Chistmas holidays.


SITUATION UPDATE

Civil Protection Unit (CPU):

- Floods in Muzarabani are gradually subsiding though people still 
remain on high ground. Some of the affected people are reported to be 
back at work in their fields during the day and to 'safe havens' in the 
evenings

- Officially one seven-year-old child died of drowning in Muzarabani.

Meteorological Services Department (Met. Department):

- The department reported that the cold spell that is currently 
experienced across the country has greatly affected the rainfall trend, 
from being downpours to drizzles. Fortunately, this new trend reduces 
chances of flooding.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA):

- All the dams and rivers in the country are filling up at an extremely 
fast rate and there could be a threat of flooding in low lying areas as 
a result of localized flood surges or failing dam or river capacities.

- Hydrologically, low lying areas are likely to experience flash floods 
as opposed to main river backflows, which is the case in Muzarabani.

- The department warned that Mozambique is also in imminent threat of 
flooding from the eventual filling up and consequent backflow from 
Cabora Bassa dam.

NEEDS

The top priority needs for the affected communities are:
- Tents, plastic sheeting
- Prepared food (ready to eat)
- Blankets
- Cooking utensils
- Water treatment kits
- Medicines
- Transport
- Search and rescue capacity for the marooned communities

CPU and OCHA Have sent out a matrix to track and capture the assistance
delivered and the remaining gaps from the organizations already responding
to floods.


RESPONSE

On 18 December, IOM has dispatched a team and truckload of non-food 
items and emergency assistance, including a nurse and an emergency 
health kit to respond to emergency health concerns, emergency shelter 
materials (tarpaulins), blankets, mosquito nets, condoms, aqua tabs (one 
week supply for 150 households), and Information, Education and 
Communication (IEC) materials on HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, 
cholera, malaria and diarrhoea. IOM will work closely with OCHA, CPU, 
local government structures, and other organizations such as the Red 
Cross, ICRC and WFP to identify the gaps and ensure a comprehensive, 
coordinated response.

On 19 December, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) 
sent out additional items (300 tarpaulins, 2000 blankets, 200 kitchen 
sets, 582 Jerry cans, rolls of plastic sheet, 5 boxes of water maker 
sachets (containing 1,000 each), and 53 bars of soap.

On 20 December, ICRC sent 2,000 blankets and 300 tarpaulins to cover 
1000 people.

Other assistance delivered last week and early this week includes;

The GoZ:
- 20 tons mealie meal
- 30 dozen bread
- 45 blankets
- 5 pieces of tent
- 200 litres diesel
- 1 Four-Wheel-Drive vehicle

The Red Cross, today (15/12/07) dispatched;
- 100 blankets
- 50 tarpaulins
- 50 kitchen sets
- 82 jerry cans of drinking water
- 53 tablets of soap
- 5,000 water maker sachets


World Food Programme and Christian Care response:

- WFP and Christian Care are working closely to assess additional food 
requirements and organize dispatch of required additional food 
commodities to the affected site;

- On 17 December, WFP sent a field monitor to join Christian Care staff 
in location for information gathering, assessment, coordination and 
monitoring;

- On 17 December, WFP & Christian Care attended the Civil Protection 
Unit meeting in Harare, which provided a preliminary indication of the 
number of affected households (600 HH) and informed of food commodities 
request (20Mt mealie-meal, 10Mt dried fish, 5Mt salt, 10Mt soyabased 
flour). Food requirements to be verified by a field assessment.

- On 18 Dec, WFP sent a Vulnerability Assessment officer to join the 
above team to support the assessment of extent of the damage and specify 
the food requirements for those affected by the disaster;

- WFP & Christian Care will participate in the 19 December (10:00 a.m) 
meeting in Centenary at the District Administrator's office. See below 
info received from field radio communication.

- WFP will continue to work closely with and inform the OCHA focal point 
and has a standby team available to join in a coordinated joint 
assessment with UN agencies, Government and NGO partners.


RECOMMENDATION

High alert to be maintained throughout the Christmas holiday period.

CONTACTS

Muktar Farah, OCHA Head a.i. Phone: +26311617732 / 792681-6 ext. 346 
Email: muktar@un.org

Felix Dogbey, Information Management Officer, Phone: +263912277694 / 
792681-6 ext. 350 Email: dogbey@un.org

Mustafa Omer, Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Phone: +26311611627 / 
792681-6 ext. 355 Email: muhumedomer@un.org


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