Mozambique: Floods [DHA-01: 21-Feb-97]

Mozambique: Floods [DHA-01: 21-Feb-97]



                              United Nations
                    Department of Humanitarian Affairs
                            MOZAMBIQUE - FLOODS
                         DHA SITUATION REPORT  NO. 1

                              21 FEBRUARY 1997



       1.    HEAVY  RAINS,  STARTED  IN  MID-JANUARY 1997, HAVE CAUSED
     SEVERE  FLOODS IN MANICA, SOFALA, TETE AND ZAMBEzIA PROVINCES, IN
     CENTRAL AND NORTH-WESTERN MOZAMBIQUE.

       2.     THE SITUATION HAS WORSENED DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS
       AFFECTING  400,000 PEOPLE AND CAUSING 35 DEATHS. DHA-GENEVA
       IS  CLOSELY  MONITORING THE SITUATION THROUGH THE OFFICE OF
       THE UNDP/DHA REPRESENTATIVE IN MAPUTO.

       3.      EMERGENCY  OPERATIONS  ARE UNDER WAY COORDINATED BY
       DPCCN,  THE  NATIONAL RELIEF AGENCY. SINCE 16 FEBRUARY, AIR
       RESCUE  OPERATIONS,   FOR  THOSE  VICTIMS  THREATENED  FROM
       RAISING  WATERS,  ARE BEING EXECUTED WITH THE HELP OF SOUTH
       AFRICAN AND ZIMBABWEAN AIR FORCES. TO DATE, MORE THAN 2,000
       PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RESCUED USING BOATS AND HELICOPTERS.

       4.       ROADS   COMMUNICATIONS   ARE  VERY  DIFFICULT  AND
       PRELIMINARY  REPORTS INDICATE THAT FOODS STOCKS SEEMS TO BE
       RUNNING  OUT  WITHIN A FEW WEEKS. WEATHER FORECASTS SUGGEST
       THAT HEAVY RAINS ARE SET TO CONTINUE UNTIL APRIL.

       6.      THE GOVERNMENT OF MOZAMBIQUE WILL REPORTEDLY LAUNCH
       AN   APPEAL  FOR  INTERNATIONAL  ASSISTANCE  ON  MONDAY  24
       FEBRUARY.

       7.      FOR  COORDINATION PURPOSES, DONORS ARE REQUESTED TO
       INFORM  DHA  GENEVA  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: MR. SERGIO PIAZZI DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917-3518
       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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