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United Nations
Floods displace thousands in southern Africa, UN says
27 March 2009 - Floods across southern Africa, caused by extreme
rainfall, have caused massive damage to land and property and
displaced thousands of people, the United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today.
In Angola alone, the lives of 160,000 people have been upset by the
rains and OCHA fears that number is likely to increase, with schools
and other public buildings being used as shelter, interrupting
education and other public services.
With some $600,000 already allocated to various emergency actions in
Angola, UN humanitarian agencies are requesting more funds for
shelter, food and other necessities from the Central Emergency
Response Fund (CERF), which is managed by OCHA.
In Namibia, where 13,000 people have been displaced, many health
facilities and schools are either flooded or inaccessible, the Office
reported.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has declared an emergency for
the north-central and north-eastern part of the country and appealed
for international assistance. In response, a Flash Appeal based on the
outstanding needs jointly identified by the Government, the UN and
humanitarian partners, is being finalized.
In addition, the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team
has arrived in Namibia to help survey the situation and provide
support to the local authorities.
Also in Namibia, the UN Childrens Fund (Unicef) is assisting with
sanitation and communication materials, as well as with planning for
gaps in education and protection of displaced persons. The UN
Population Fund (UNFPA) is also supporting protection projects within
the relocation camps.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has allocated $27,800 to the
Namibian Ministry of Health for emergency kits to ensure basic health
care for about 10,000 people, which includes five tons of medicine for
diarrhoeal diseases and other emergency materials.
On the east coast, Cyclone Izilda is now dissipating south-west of
Madagascar but could still pour more rainfall onto central and
southern Mozambique, OCHA said.
The Office added that international response to the previous two
cyclones that affected Madagascar in January has been adequate, but
$400,000 is still required as an emergency measure to rehabilitate 20
classrooms for some 3,000 children who risk losing an entire school
year.
Most of Zambia, northern and southern Malawi, and northern Botswana
have also been hit by deluges, OCHA said.
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