THE Salvation Army in Mozambique is responding after floods caused more than 70 deaths and left thousands of people homeless. Around 100,000 people in the north and centre of the country are estimated to have been affected, with heavy rain expected to continue for days.
The town of Mocuba in central Zambezia province was particularly hard-hit. Eighteen children are missing after the River Licungo overflowed its banks, forcing 15,000 people from their homes. The Salvation Army's Captain Arsenio Macamo (Section Officer, Zambezia) says the flooding in the region is the worst since 1971, and news reports say that the river is flowing so quickly that it is impossible to cross, with some areas completely cut off. Large portions of the country are also without power..
A Salvation Army emergency team organised by Captain Macamo and Lieutenant Armindo Simango assisted almost 4,000 displaced people from Mocuba, helping them to move into government-arranged camps. Plans are being made to provide food assistance once funding can be sourced.
Colonel Daniel Moukoko (Territorial Commander, Mozambique) writes: 'The displaced people are in a vulnerable situation that needs strong and quick humanitarian action. After losing their belongings during the flooding, their priority needs are temporary shelter (tents), food assistance, blankets, clothes, mattresses and water and sanitation interventions in order to address the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.'
Report by IHQ Communications
International Headquarters
