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Mozambique Floods

Current Situation

Mozambique has been hit by the worst floods in six years. As of February 22, the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) estimates that approximately 139,944 people have been displaced due to the floods. An estimated 87,430 people are currently in accommodation centers and 52,514 in the resettlement centers that were established after the 2001 floods.
The floods were followed by Cyclone Flavio, which destroyed many buildings in the resort town of Vilankulo last week. The destruction caused by flooding is massive in scale and has had a lasting impact.

When the first round of flooding subsided, people began returning to their homes, only to be informed that more floods are expected soon. This was a difficult task, as the rains had stopped and the people were not easily convinced about pending dangers.

The second round of flooding occurred when the Cahora Bassa Dam overflowed due to heavy rains in neighboring Zambia and Zimbabwe, forcing the dam wall gates to be opened, which released 2,219,000 gallons of water downstream.

A third round of flooding resulted when the Malawian Shire River drained into the Zambezi river, swelling its banks and adding to an already desperate situation in the province.

Islamic Relief's Action

A regional team from the South Africa Office arrived in Mozambique last week and carried out a distribution of 30,000 pounds of food and non food items to 552 families. The distribution pack consisted of:
• Plastic sheeting
• Maize
• Salt
• Sugar
• Soap
• Kitchen utensils

The distribution took place in an area called Pinba, in the Morrrunbala district, Zambezia province. 58,000 people have been affected in this province alone.

The National Institute of Disaster Management welcomed Islamic Relief's intervention and commented that they were very pleased with our distribution, as our food pack fulfils the needs of a family for 10 days whereas food packs from other NGOs only lasted for 2-3 days. The government and local community also encouraged Islamic Relief to take part in long-term aid projects.

Islamic Relief's Future Plans

The Emergency phase is likely to continue to until the end of March. Islamic Relief plans to continue to distribute the same emergency kits subject to securing funding.

Islamic Relief South Africa is meeting with the National Institute of Disaster as well as the Agriculture Department to discuss long-term projects for the second phase of the response.