Mozambique Emergency Appeal - Mozambique Govt

Press Release: Mozambique Government

Mozambiqueambique Emergency Appeal

First of all the history.

The region has been suffering from drought for so long that everyone was surprised by the recent flooding.

About a year ago there was so much drought that the Limpopo River (which forms the border between RSA and Zimbabwe and also goes into Mozambique.) went completely dry and they had to do a major flushing of the pipes in Harare (Zim.).

The flooding has been going on for about two weeks with torrential rains --the worst floods in 50 years-since 1951--before Cyclone Eline arrived just now.

This disaster is affecting three countries so far.

(Mozambiqueambique, Zimbabwe and RSA) In fact most of the rain may have already passed Mozambiqueambique and now it is Zim and northern RSA who are starting to be affected.

In Mozambiqueambique at least 70 have died.

Total death toll from Eline alone is almost 100 and the total from all the recent flooding it is 200.

55 of those were in South Africa.

In Mozambique the tourist district of Vilandulo and the port city of Beira were hard hit.

All the border posts between RSA and Zim have been closed.

Bridges have been washed away in Zim and RSA as well houses have collapsed in RSA

Zim authorities complained about an invasion of snakes in the higher grounds where people have taken shelter.

WHO says 800,000 are at risk from epidemics.

They are especially worried about malaria and cholera.

300,000 homeless in Mozambique.

Zim claims 22,000 homeless in Beibridge area alone (main border to RSA) 300,000 need food aid in Mozambique. alone.

In Mozambique 30,000 cattle drowned and over 70,000 acres of crops were destroyed.

Maputo (capital of Mozambique) itself seems to be returning to normal since the rains are stopping there and moving to Zimbabwe.

But southern three provinces are a disaster area and rivers there are rising.

Even the Gaza (Mozambique.) provincial government in Xai-Xai had to move out of its offices.

600,000 in Gaza province have been affected according to government minister Mr. Mumaio.

Southern Gaza and Inhambane provinces (Mozambique.) are accessible only by air.

Mozambique government says they need US $15 mill. to recover.

800,000 affected countrywide (Mozambique.) In Zimbabwe they had an additional problem that prevented a fuel ship from docking and now they are having an even greater shortage of petrol and diesel than they had before the rains.

Zim has declared three provinces as disaster areas: Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South.

There there are 250,000 homeless.

Crops and village granaries have been washed away says government minister Mr. Nkomo.

The Limpopo is at its highest level in 15 years say RSA sources.

AMURT (AFRICA) International Development Co-operation and Disaster Relief.

Nairobi, February 27, 2000

EMERGENCY APPEAL

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter does not concern political or religious interests, it is also not about support for poor people or minorities- it is about life saving emergency relief! This letter is not to be published in a newspaper because it is too emotional.

Having the pictures of dying children in Mozambiqueambique constantly in front of my eyes, any objective description of the disaster would not be appropriate.

To save human beings from starving, it needs people who act.

AMURT has started its operation and has sent its relief team to Mozambiqueambique.

The food stores are going to be empty soon and will remain so, if further relief goods are not provided immediately.

You can help! We are looking for people who are ready to save, together with AMURT, the endangered live 92s in Mozambiqueambique.

Your help is urgently needed.

Here the life of human beings is directly dependant on donations from outside.

A fact, which keeps us permanently busy, but also gives us the energy to continue our relief works.

I know, that I am writing to the right person, because it is surely your concern too, to help the starving people of Mozambiqueambique as soon as possible.

I kindly request you, to please respond benevolently to this appeal

With best regards, Krpamayananda Sectorial Secretory Nairobi.

We have to act now! Every day passing without help, means that innumerable children and adults die.

Relief Material Needed

1. Food- Dried fruits, maize flour, rice, pulses, unimix, biscuits, milk powder,cooking oil, salt, sugar etc.

2. Utensils- Family cooking pots, Relief cooking pots, plates, cups and glasses etc.

3. Clothes- Ladies, gents and children (any size), blankets, bed-sheets and carpets etc.

4. Hygienic materials- Toothpaste, toothbrush and soaps for washing both for clothes and body

5. Construction materials- Cements iron and plastic sheets, tent and tripals.

6. School materials- Exercise books, pen and pencils, basketballs etc.

7. Playing materials- Such as volleyballs, footballs, basketballs etc.

8. Agriculture- Assorted seeds and tools

9. Miscellaneous- Water hand pumps and bicycles, sewing machines.

Note: Any financial help will be appreciated and to be deposited in the following AMURT account:

Barclays Bank Market Branch, Nairobi AMURT, Acct. No. 106862(Ksh)7139714 (US $)

Please don't hesitate to contact us for any inquiries.

For more information on AMURT see www.amurt.net

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