Helicopters are helping in the evacuation
UNICEF'S executive director, Carol Bellamy, has said the world's governments must act now to stave off a massive humanitarian disaster caused by flooding in southern Africa. The UN estimates that between 800,000 and one million people have lost their homes and are in need of urgent humanitarian relief throughout the region.
The president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, said today that a million flood victims badly needed aid and he appealed for more aircraft for rescue operations to save survivors trapped above the floodwaters. He said international aid sent to relieve devastating flood damage has been slow to arrive. After reviewing the damage from a plane, the president said it was clear that more help was needed, and fast. The Mozambique Government has been swift to counter criticism from abroad that it has not been doing enough itself to help the flood victims.
The Irish Government has announced an extra £1 million in aid to Mozambique, bringing the total to £1.4million so far. The Minister of State, Liz O'Donnell, indicated that Ireland was ready to provide further funding for rescue operations, so far being spearheaded by South African military helicopters.
The international effort to bring aid to flood victims in Mozambique is now gathering momentum. An American cargo plane arrived this morning in the capital, Maputo, carrying plastic sheets for 10,000 families, as well as water jugs, blankets and high-energy foods. Britain and the United States are sending a total of six helicopters to join the seven from South Africa which have rescued thousands of stranded people in the past four days. President Chissano has said that an estimated one million people have been driven from their homes, and he said more aid was urgently needed.
The World Health Organisation has warned that the spread of disease and lack of clean water are now major issues in Mozambique. They believe that malaria will become an increasing concern once the floodwaters recede and stagnate. The floods have also disrupted vaccine programmes against measles and meningitis. The World Food Programme has called for the deployment of more helicopters and light aircraft to aid in the relief effort. They claim that using boats to rescue victims is not an option due to the time it takes to reach flooded areas.
