Emergency declared as flooding escalates in Mozambique by Steph Ball
Weeks of heavy rain have bought severe flooding across several parts of Africa, notably in Mozambique where the heavy rains culminated in the Zambezi River bursting its banks. On Tuesday various world relief agencies began distributing emergency aid to around six thousand people who have been severely affected.
Relief Organisation ‘World Vision’ declared the flooding in central parts of Mozambique a “Category 1” emergency that has left about 68,000 Mozambicans homeless, with a further 280,000 potentially facing evacuation during the course of this week. Makeshift refugee camps have already appeared and are now home to around 30,000 people, with many new people arriving at the camps daily.
The flooding has been fuelled by weeks of rain in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. Whilst officials were reporting that the rains were showing signs of easing, there is the possibility that flood gates further upstream will have to be opened, causing additional problems for residents along the Zambezi flood plain.
The floods are reported to be the worst in six years. In 2000 and 2001, a similar area suffered severe flooding which reportedly killed around seven hundred people and displaced a further half a million, whilst causing significant damage to the local infrastructure.
The Government is said to be working on a long-term solution to help refugees from flood hit areas to resettle. Many of these refugees have had to endure flooding several times in recent years and constant displacement from their homes.
Flooding has also affected other parts of Africa, including Angola and Madagascar, although Mozambique is reported to be the hardest hit. With the latest forecasts predicting that heavy rains will continue in many of the Zambezi river catchment areas, it seems likely that this crisis will worsen especially as the rainy season here often lasts until the end of March.
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