Though the floods are receding, there is still a lot a work to be done. 100,000 people have had to leave their homes, and are now living in
resettlement zones along the banks of the Zambezi. Many of these people, particularly the elderly and chronically ill, will not be able to recover from this disaster without some help.
If
people are not given enough support, there is a risk that they will return to their old homes that are still at risk from flooding. The government has officially prohibited people from going back. It
may, however, be impossible to enforce this policy. Concern understands that resettlement is a contentious issue, while also being aware of the risks and the need for solutions.
Currently,
Concern teams in Tambara and Chinde are wrapping up emergency activities. The distribution of emergency supplies has stopped for now.
In Chinda, Concern’s partner Welthungerhilfe will provide food and agricultural help to flood-affected people. Welthungerhilfe will also continue to build schools and
clinics in the resettlement zones. Another partner, IRD, will look after water and sanitation.
In Tambara, the World Food Programme will continue to support communities with food. Concern’s local partner Magariro will work with Oxfam to help communities address water and sanitation needs.
Working in long-term partnership with Institutio Nacional de Gestão de Calamidades, Concern hopes to strengthen people’s ability to cope with disasters. Some new ideas include
dyke structures and canal networks. Introducing drought tolerant crops while using local materials and natural resources should also reduce risks in the future.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A Haitian argues with a U.N. peacekeeper at Haiti's national palace in Port-au-Prince April 14, 2008. At least five people died during a week of violence in which U.N. troops battled ...
