Mozambique and Botswana Floods
February 21, 2000

Red Cross volunteers are on alert in Mozambique as the country awaits the landfall of tropical cyclone Eline along the coastal province of Inhambane. Local authorities have already sent out cyclone warnings to the general population.

The International Federation is warning the plight of more than half a million people affected by recent floods could become desparate if cyclone Eline if it hits the southern provinces of Maputo and Gaza. The worst floods in 50 years have left 300,000 people homeless and without proper drinking water and sanitation. The threat of water borne diseases is increasing.

The Mozambique Red Cross Society has been working, in collaboration with the Mozambican government and other relief organizations, to evacuate flood victims, provide them clean water, food, shelter and emergency first aid. But there is urgent need for more tents, clean water and sanitation facilities.

An appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on 11 February has now been increased to 3.2 million Swiss francs to reflect urgent needs in Botswana which has also been badly affected by floods. Some 32,000 people have been left homeless and although relief supplies have been delivered, the priority is the provision of clean water and sanitation.

The following people are available for interviews:

Marielise Bergsonne, Development Delegate,
Mozambique Federation Delegation, Maputo, Mozambique (English, Danish)
+2581 49 22 77
+2582 30 33 68 (mobile)
Fernanda Teixeira, Secretary General, Mozambique Red Cross Society Maputo, Mozambique (English,Portuguese)
+2581 49 77 21
+2581 49 09 43
Richard Hunlede, Desk Officer, Geneva, Switzerland (English, French) +41 79 416 3881

For more information please contact:

Media Service, International Federation, Geneva, Switzerland
+41 79 416 3881

The International Federation, the ICRC and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies together constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.