Malawi: Floods [DHA-01: 17-Feb-97]

                              United Nations
                    Department of Humanitarian Affairs

                              Malawi - Floods
                        DHA Situation Report No. 1
                             17 February 1997



                     Alert for International Assistance


       1.     The UN Resident Coordinator in Lilongwe reports that  
       recent heavy rains have caused severe flooding in southern   
       Malawi.  The regions most seriously hit are Chikwawa and     
       Nsanje, while Mangochi and Ntcheu have been affected to a    
       lesser extent.

       2.     President of Malawi has declared the flood-hit Lower  
       Shire Valley a disaster area, and the Government has formed  
       4 committees to respond to the disaster.  An official
       appeal for international assistance is expected to be
       issued shortly.

       3.     On 16 February, the Government, led by the
       President, conducted an assessment survey in the affected
       region, in which the local UNHCR representative
       participated.  The Malawi Red Cross is also undertaking a    
       quick assessment.  The recent media reports indicate that    
       some 80,000 Malawian and 20,000 Mozambican families are
       affected by the floods and in need of food, shelter,      
       clothing, medicines, and farm inputs.

       4.     The UN Disaster Management Team in Malawi (including  
       the UN family and the EU) has been mobilized to ensure a     
       rapid and appropriate response to the expected governmental  
       appeal.

       5.     DHA is arranging an immediate dispatch of a UN        
       Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to assist  
       in on-going assessment efforts.

       6.     For coordination purposes, donors are requested to    
       inform DHA Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief   
       missions/ pledges/ contributions and their corresponding     
       values by item.


       Telephone number: +41-22-917-1234                            
       In case of emergency only: +41-22-917-2010                   
       Desk Officer: Ms. Kayo Gotoh, direct tel: +41-22-917-1258    
       Press to contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo
          direct tel: +41-22-917-2856
       Telex: 41 42 42 dha ch
       Fax: +41-22-917-0023                                         
       E-Mail: dhagva@dha.unicc.org                                 



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