UK aid for flood-hit Mozambique

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British charities are to send supplies to Mozambique, after flooding there forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Save the Children UK said more than 50,000 people - half of them children - had been displaced.

The charity is giving families plastic sheeting, soap and water purifiers. Another charity, ActionAid, is providing boats, tents and medicine.

The UK government said it was on standby to provide support.

We are doing the best we can, but we need more resources Fernando Ketulo,ActionAid emergencies advisor

Chris McIvor, programme director for Save the Children UK, said: "We know that what children will need most urgently is shelter, clean water to drink and enough food to eat and we are working to keep their lives as normal and as safe as possible."

But he fears the situation could worsen with more rain expected in the coming days and a shortage of food as most farmland lies under water.

Seasonal flooding is not unusual in southern Africa, however many of those affected were also victims of last year's floods.

As many as 150,000 were forced out of their homes in 2007 but returned because they had no other option, Mr McIvor said.

"Farmers know the land by the river will flood, but they reason it is worth it for three years of good harvest. Unfortunately, it looks like we are now having two years of flooding in a row," he said.

Situation monitored

Fernando Ketulo, ActionAid's emergencies advisor in Mozambique, said: "We are doing the best we can, but we need more resources.

"We are paying special attention to women and children in this difficult situation."

The British Red Cross said it was monitoring the situation and national societies in affected countries were working with the governments to help evacuate people.

A Department for International Development spokeswoman said it has been following the situation closely and was ready to provide support.

She said the department contributed more than £40m this year to the Central Emergency Response Fund, established by the UN to act as a standby for humanitarian assistance.