The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is increasing its support to Red Cross National Societies in southern Africa and releasing additional funds, to respond to devastating floods in the region since the beginning of January.
The flooding is also causing a marked increase in cholera cases in some areas. The most affected countries are Angola, Mozambique and Zambia.
Angola: In the Cacuaco region of Angola at least 71 people have died and 184 families have lost all their personal belongings. Roads were submerged and bridges were damaged.
The heavy rains also worsened the cholera outbreak that began last year. Since January 1, a total of 3,868 new cases have been reported in 15 out of 18 provinces, with Luanda, Cabinda and Benguela the most severely hit. Angola Red Cross volunteers have distributed emergency items including tents, chlorine tablets and jerrycans, to 180,000 households as well as hygiene promotion messages.
Zambia: Torrential rains have also lashed parts of Zambia. In the North, they have caused the collapse of 200 houses and pit latrines in the areas of Solwezi and Mpulungu, bringing up serious water and sanitation concerns. Zambia Red Cross is providing emergency help, including chlorine tablets, and is closely monitoring the cholera situation. Cholera cases have been reported in parts of the country since October 2006 and over the last week, the number of cases has been on the rise in the capital, Lusaka. A total of 414 cases have been recorded and some 143 people have died.
Mozambique: Mozambique has also been hit by heavy rains, especially in the North and Central regions. They are expected to continue in parts of the country, bringing fears of more damage. More than 6,000 people lost their homes and crops have been washed away, leading to a risk of food insecurity in the months to come in Nampula province. Mozambique Red Cross has been providing emergency help to those affected by the floods and is closely following developments.
Malawi: Malawi has experienced torrential rains since early January. More than 20,000 households have been affected in the Chikwawa district, 475 houses have collapsed in the Nsanje district and nearly 900 hectares of crops have been washed away. Malawi Red Cross has been providing emergency supplies to the victims, including tents and tarpaulins.
Zimbabwe: In Zimbabwe, at least 9 cases of cholera were reported on January 30 in Mabvuku, a suburb of the capital, Harare. The lack of clean drinking water and the lack of garbage collection are aggravating the threat of communicable diseases. Several cases have also been reported in the Kariba district. The Zimbabwe Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation with the Ministry of health and child welfare
In late 2006, severe flooding affected many areas of eastern and central Africa. Today, torrential rains are affecting southern Africa. "The International Federation has released additional funds from its emergency reserves, and is ready to step in with more resources, if needed, since heavy rains are forecast," says Françoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation's regional delegation in Harare, Zimbabwe. "We need to urgently increase our response capacity by supporting our national societies to reach the victims in the disaster areas with basic commodities and make a difference to the most affected,"she adds.
The International Federation has released more than 270,000 Swiss Francs (US$ 216,000, 166,000) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund for Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. An emergency appeal to combat cholera in Angola for 1.2 million Swiss Francs has been extended until June 2007. To date, it is only 55 % covered and donors are urgently requested to increase their support to avoid further spreading the epidemics.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
