Southern Africa FloodsJanuary 2008

International Federation of Red Cross

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warned of a potential disastrous flood crisis in southern Africa. Trouble upstream. The welfare of many Mozambicans now hinges on whether forecasts of continued heavy rain upstream along the Zambezi, possibly lasting until April, prove accurate.Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

Mozambique Red Cross (MRC) volunteers are assisting with construction in this northern Mozambican village, where some 400 people are trying to rebuild their lives after being evacuated from riverside homes. Some people in Chipuazo are still living in the tents they were provided with after the flood disaster in Mozambique a year ago. The Mozambique Red Cross has fielded hundreds of volunteers in several affected provinces.Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

Santos Samissons Chaibande, a volunteer with the Mozambique Red Cross in Nhambalo-2, near Caia, Mozambique. The volunteers from the Mozambique Red Cross have assisted with emergency evacuations and provided tents, tarpaulins, plastic sheets, mosquito nets, mattresses and other assistance in Sofala, Manica, Inhambane, Zambezia and Tete.Photo: Alex Wynter /International Federation

The Mozambican evacuation effort along the Zambezi has so far been almost entirely carried out in boats. There is a strong boating tradition along the river, and besides those evacuated some Mozambicans simpy sailed away from trouble as the waters rose around them. Photo: Alex Wynter /International Federation

Chipuazo, Mozambique -- Women evacuated from their homes along the Zambezi river banks pump water in Chipuazo, the Mozambique village where they are being resettled. More than 35,000 people have now been safely evacuated in the Mozambican government’s boat operation to move riverside villagers to high ground, and the number is increasing by several hundred every day. But the operation will have to keep pace with rising water levels.Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

New huts are being built by flood evacuees all over the village. Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

Safe for now. Jonh Njauje, an elderly Mozambican evacuated from his Zambezi riverside home, is rebuilding his life in the village of Chipuazo, near Caia.Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

Estele Joao, a mother of six boys, tells the story of her evacuation to Nhambalo-2 to BBC Africa correspondent Orla Guerin. The Mozambique Red Cross has been assisting evacuees resettles in Nhambalo-2 and villages like it up and down the Zambezi. Photo: Alex Wynter /International Federation

Chawade Vasco worked with the international Red Cross flood-relief operation in Caia a year ago. The situation in Mozambique is particularly worrying. This flood-prone country was already severely-hit by flooding immediately followed by a cyclone in February 2007. Many communities are just starting to recover and they now have to face another crisis. About 60,000 people are currently being affected but numbers are rising on a daily basis.Photo: Alex Wynter /International Federation

The rising Zambezi flood water in and around Caia. The current seasonal rains – intensified by a La Niña in the Pacific and possibly climate change – have pushed rivers to their danger level throughout the region over the past two weeks. Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

“We must immediately bring humanitarian aid to affected communities but we also need to bear in mind that people affected or displaced by the floods will need long-term assistance, especially to restore their livelihoods,” says Françoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation‘s southern Africa zone office which is supporting all Red Cross societies in the region involved in emergency response operations.Photo: Alex Wynter/International Federation

Source : © International Federation of Red Cross and

Red Crescent Societies.