Press Release

Red Cross responds to floods in southern Africa

17 January 2007

The British Red Cross has launched an appeal to help the thousands of people affected by the flooding that has wreaked havoc across southern Africa. The early and unusually heavy seasonal rains mean there is the threat of continued flooding across six countries, with the situation being particularly acute in Mozambique. River levels are dangerously high and the situation is predicted to deteriorate over the next few weeks. There is also the added threat of cyclones – last year’s cyclone season was the worst on record.  

The southern Africa appeal will enable the Red Cross to provide non-food items, such as tents and clothing for 100,000 people.

Says Alex Wynter, of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), in Maputo, Mozambique. “The current seasonal rains in southern Africa – intensified by a La Nina in the Pacific and possibly climate change – have pushed river levels to danger level throughout the region. Mozambican officials have confirmed that in terms of water levels, the current floods are worse than those of a decade ago. Bearing in mind the pessimistic weather forecast, we are concerned that more people will be affected over the coming days. The whole of Mozambique is praying that the rains hold off.” 

Red Cross volunteers in affected areas have been working around the clock to meet the needs of those affected. Following severe flooding in Mozambique in 2001/02 some 700 people died. To date, this year, there have been dramatically fewer deaths, with only 11 lives lost in Mozambique. Countless lives have been saved thanks to Red Cross disaster preparedness and evacuation programmes.

However, there is an urgent need to help the thousands of people who have fled flood-affected areas, leaving behind their homes and possessions. In Mozambique, around 500 Red Cross volunteers have helped evacuate people from risk areas to safer ground. The national society has deployed boats, and despite a shortage of cash for fuel and outboards, has managed to move several hundred people. Volunteers have also assisted in setting up evacuation centres and are providing water chlorination.

Many people face a bleak future as floods destroy crops, livestock, and threaten livelihoods. Says Fernanda Teixeira, the secretary general of the Mozambique Red Cross, “We need to concentrate on what happens in the medium and longer term. This means helping people restore their livelihoods and coping mechanisms. It means building new health facilities close to the resettlement areas organised by the government for people who can no longer stay in their villages because they are too close to the river.”            

To donate to the southern Africa appeal go to www.redcross.org.uk/southernafricafloods