Disaster in Mozambique

The floods in Mozambique have set back immeasurably what President Clinton said is "one of the fastest growing economies in Africa," as this nation crawls back from the devastation of the Independence and Renamo wars of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Since the beginning of February, floods and damage from the recent Cyclone Eline have claimed at least 200 lives in Mozambique and forced at least 800,000 people to flee their homes for higher ground. The threat of starvation and drowning for those who have not yet been reached follows in the wake of the flooding. The floods are considered to be the worst in at least 40 years. Damaged water mains and power lines have meant that many people are without clean water or electricity. Cases of cholera and malaria are expected to rise dramatically. The government has stated that it needs $65 million to help it begin to cope with and recover from the disaster. Mozambique is helping itself. Government ministers are heading work brigades in all the affected provinces. In thecities and towns, the local councils are in charge of relief work, housing and feeding the homeless and marking out new residential areas for those living in unsafe places. The health and public works sectors in particular, and brigades from the water and electricity companies, have been working day and night. Many national NGOs, such as the Mozambique Red Cross, also went into emergency action. A Mozambican movement of solidarity has been launched, and contributions in cash and kind have been pouring in from institutions, public and private companies, and individuals through their workplaces. Most contributions are being channeled to the Red Cross. The rains are expected to continue into March, with untold consequences for Mozambique's people. To support the Red Cross in Mozambique contact: International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies P.O. Box 3721211 Geneva 19, Switzerland E-Mail: helpnow@ifrc.org WWW: http://www.ifrc.org