Malawi: Floods [DHA-04: 25-Feb-97]
Malawi: Floods [DHA-04: 25-Feb-97]
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Malawi - Floods
DHA Situation Report No. 4
25 February 1997
INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
DHA-UNDAC TEAM IN THE FIELD
1. DHA's UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination
(UNDAC) team completed a field assessment in the floods-
affected Chikwawa and Nsanje Districts in the Lower Shire
Valley, focusing particularly on the areas situated close
to the Shire River. It was carried out in close
cooperation with UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, the European Union, and
the Malawi national and district authorities.
2. Having completed the rapid assessment, the UNDAC
team is scheduled to depart for Geneva this evening.
ASSESSMENT RESULTS
3. While the original government appeal estimated 400,
000 persons (80,000 families) affected without
distinguishing between losses of food stores, crop, and
homes, the UNDAC team's assessment concentrated on
identifying those who require immediate assistance,
particularly food. The registration exercise started by
the District Commissioners in Chikwawa and Nsanje have so
far registered 120,000 persons (24,000 families), again
including all types of losses.
4. Assessment was carried out through helicopter
overflights over the affected areas, with touch downs at
strategic points. The information gathered was broken down
into Agricultural Expansion Planning Areas (EPAs), and,
based on the already-established population distribution
data, a percentage of those visibly suffering food store
loss was estimated for each EPA.
5. Chikwawa District -- In Dolo EPA (population 47,
461), 7,000 persons are estimated to be in need of food
assistance, and the distribution of plastic sheets and
poles is needed for the victims in Masanduku. Mitole EPA
(population 75,722) has suffered limited damage at the
confluence of the Likabula and Shire Rivers, where about 4,
000 are in need of food and non-food assistance. Damage in
Mikalango and Liwunzu EPAs is mainly crop loss, and,
therefore, neither bulk feeding nor distribution of non-
food items are recommended at this point.
6. Nsanje District -- In Nsanje EPA (population 57,
551), 14,500 persons are in need of food assistance, and
the distribution of plastic sheets/poles is recommended to
the displaced in Nsanje Boma. In Nyatchalinda EPA
(population 94,921), the provision of food and plastic
sheets/poles is also needed for 32,000 persons originally
from Nyachikadza. Furthermore, food assistance is needed
for estimated 36,000 persons in Makhanga EPA (population
72,201) which has been badly affected by the confluence of
the Shire and Ruo Rivers, as well as for about 9,000 in
Magoti EPA (population 44,379) where the surrounding area
of Bangula has been damaged by the flooding at the
confluence of the Shire and Ruo Rivers. Damage in Mpatsa
EPA is mainly crop loss.
UN-MET ASSISTANCE NEEDS
7. The UNDAC team's assessment identified 102,500
persons (i.e., 20,500 families) in Chikwawa and Nsanje as
the target population for food and, in some areas, shelter
(plastic sheeting and poles) assistance. In Chikwawa
District, the priority area for the first two weeks is
Masanduku in Dolo EPA. In Nsanje District, also requiring
priority assistance are Nsanje Boma in Nsanje EPA and the
displaced from Nyachikadza in Nyatchalinda EPA.
8. Of paramount importance is the need to maintain
access to affected areas, on which the delivery of
assistance will depend. This will involve temporary
repairing of damaged roads and bridges leading to
distribution points.
9. Overall requirements, including further non-food
needs (e.g., shelter, blankets, and household utensils),
are to be determined/adjusted based on independent
verification and analysis by selected NGOs of the target
groups being identified through the registration exercise
by the District Commissioners. As the forthcoming
verification/analysis exercise is expected to take 10 days,
no further shipment of these items from abroad is
recommended at this stage.
COORDINATION/INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
10. Immediate food assistance requirements are met by
WFP from its existing in-country stocks, in cooperation
with the EU and other partners.
11. Response to requirements in the area of health,
water, and sanitation is coordinated by UNICEF, which has
already ordered vaccines and medicines valued at USD 150,
000.
12. UNDP has made USD 200,000 available to cover
immediate and mid-term needs.
MOZAMBICAN FLOOD VICTIMS IN NSANJE
13. The District Commissioner in Nsanje has registered
over 50,000 Mozambican flood victims mainly from the
Province of Zambesia. The verification exercise will
include Mozambicans, and those identified will have their
immediate needs met by the same mechanisms introduced for
the Malawian victims.
14. The Governments of Malawi and Mozambique are
cooperating to facilitate the rapid return of the
Mozambican flood victims to their homes.
CONTRIBUTIONS
15. Further to the contributions listed in the situation
report no. 2, USD 20,000 contributed from the Nippon
Foundation, through DHA, has been reported.
16. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions to be used during the immediate relief phase.
Funds are spent in coordination with relevant organizations
of the UN system, and DHA provides donor Governments with
written confirmation on utilizations of the funds
contributed.
17. Donors wishing to channel their contributions
through DHA may transfer the funds to DHA account no. CO.
590.160.1 at Swiss Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-
1211 Geneva 2, with reference: Malawi - Floods.
18. 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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