Mozambique (MNN) — Flooding has cut off entire communities in Mozambique from the rest of the country, according to World Vision staff there. Mozambique's National Institute for Disaster Management reports flooding in the central and southern parts of the country has now displaced 76,000 people.
Many have sought shelter in five emergency centers and 38 resettlement areas scattered across Zambezia, Sofala, Manica, Tete, and Inhambane provinces. World Vision is helping to evacuate stranded communities in the Mopeia area of Zambezia province, located in central Mozambique.
So far, eight people have died–a death toll described as "quite low" compared to other years, says Albert Longy, World Vision's national director in Mozambique. "This is largely due to the effort at this stage that is being put into saving lives."
World Vision has so far distributed shelter materials and more than five tons of World Food Program maize and beans to some 5,000 people in the Mutarara area of Tete province. Additional assistance is planned. This intervention follows food aid provided to about 60,000 area residents displaced by last year's flooding. It's all being done to show the love of Christ.
"Disaster prevention work is helping to reduce the likelihood of a high death toll," says Amos Doornbos, a World Vision emergency officer. "But those affected are the very vulnerable whose crops were wiped out last year and who have now lost their livelihood again.
"Children are the most vulnerable to disease," Doornbos adds. "There is a danger of acute respiratory infections, as well as malaria and cholera."
In response, World Vision staff members also are conducting distribution of chlorine for water purification, lab analyses of water sources, and awareness-raising and community education in both affected and flood-prone areas.
