Relief efforts are being stepped up in Mozambique where flood waters have displaced tens of thousands of people.
An aid ship has docked in the port of Beira in Mozambique, as relief efforts to help thousands of people displaced by floods are being stepped up.
A ship is to dock in the port of Beira with 3,000 tonnes of food - enough to support 250,000 people for one month.
The ship is carrying 3,000 tonnes of food - enough to support 250,000 people for one month.
The supplies will be distributed by the UN World Food Programme overland but many of the most vulnerable live in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
The supplies will be distributed by the UN World Food Programme overland but many of the most vulnerable live in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
The flooding in southern Africa has also affected Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Further rains are expected.
Floods in southern Africa have also affected Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Further rains are expected.
Shrinking pockets
Shrinking pockets
The ship will begin off-loading its life-saving cargo immediately and send it by lorry to Caia, where the main relief effort is being co-ordinated, the WFP says.
The ship's life-saving cargo is to be sent by lorry to Caia, where the main relief effort is being co-ordinated, the WFP says.
Many of those relying on the aid also lost their crops in last year's floods.
Many of those relying on the aid also lost their crops in last year's floods.
But the BBC's correspondent in Caia, Peter Greste, says getting the food there is only half the problem solved - most of the flood victims are still stranded along the Zambezi river valley.
But the BBC's correspondent in Caia, Peter Greste, says getting the food there is only half the problem solved - most of the flood victims are still stranded along the Zambezi river valley.
Soldiers are working with international relief agencies and the National Institute of Disaster Management to move people to temporary accommodation centres away from the river.
Soldiers are working with international relief agencies and the National Institute of Disaster Management to move people to temporary accommodation centres away from the river.
About 50,000 people have been evacuated from the danger zone, but most have simply retreated to shrinking pockets of high ground.
About 50,000 people have been evacuated from the danger zone, but most have simply retreated to shrinking pockets of high ground.
There they have been building temporary grass shelters without food, water or sanitation.
There they have been building temporary grass shelters without food, water or sanitation.
Our correspondent says an air-lift is all but impossible at this stage. The Mozambique disaster management authority has only one helicopter and few boats capable of crossing the shallow flood waters to reach those trapped by the still rising waters.
Our correspondent says an air-lift is all but impossible at this stage. The Mozambique disaster management authority has only one helicopter and few boats capable of crossing the shallow flood waters to reach those trapped by the still rising waters.
Highest alert
Highest alert
Six people are known to have died in the floods - four drowned and two were killed by crocodiles.
Six people are known to have died in the floods - four drowned and two were killed by crocodiles.
The 2000-01 floods killed 700 people and displaced half a millionMozambique has been on its highest level of alert since last week, after the government said the Zambezi, the Pungue, the Buzi and the Save rivers had risen above critical levels.
The 2000-01 floods killed 700 people and displaced half a millionMozambique has been on its highest level of alert since last week, after the government said the Zambezi, the Pungue, the Buzi and the Save rivers had risen above critical levels.
Seasonal flooding is not unusual in southern Africa but the UN said it was concerned the rains have been heavier and come earlier than the normal February peak this year.
Seasonal flooding is not unusual in southern Africa but the UN said it was concerned the rains have been heavier and come earlier than the normal February peak this year.
From its head waters high in Zambia and Zimbabwe to the river mouth on Mozambique's Indian Ocean, the Zambezi river valley is a sodden mess.
From its head waters high in Zambia and Zimbabwe to the river mouth on Mozambique's Indian Ocean, the Zambezi river valley is a sodden mess.
It is not clear when the floods waters may abate; the rains, which began in mid-December, are still falling in the catchment area and the water will take time to flow down.
It is not clear when the floods waters may abate; the rains, which began in mid-December, are still falling in the catchment area and the water will take time to flow down.
The Zambezi is rapidly approaching the 7.6m (25ft) level that it reached during disastrous floods in 2000, in which 700 people died and half a million were left homeless.
The Zambezi is rapidly approaching the 7.6m (25ft) level that it reached during disastrous floods in 2000, in which 700 people died and half a million were left homeless.
Are you affected by the flooding? Are you an aid worker trying to help people to safety? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you affected by the flooding? Are you an aid worker trying to help people to safety? Send us your comments using the form below.
