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| African flood 'catastrophe' fear | African flood 'catastrophe' fear |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent says more rain could be "catastrophic" for flood-hit Mozambique and nearby countries. | The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent says more rain could be "catastrophic" for flood-hit Mozambique and nearby countries. |
| Further rainfall is expected in the coming days and IFRC spokesman Peter Rees called for immediate action to deal with the crisis. | Further rainfall is expected in the coming days and IFRC spokesman Peter Rees called for immediate action to deal with the crisis. |
| Several people have died and about 70,000 have been displaced by the recent flooding in central Mozambique. | Several people have died and about 70,000 have been displaced by the recent flooding in central Mozambique. |
| Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have also been badly hit. | Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have also been badly hit. |
| "The weather forecast for the next seven days is not good with more rain expected, which could last until April," said Mr Rees, head of the IFRC's operations support department. | "The weather forecast for the next seven days is not good with more rain expected, which could last until April," said Mr Rees, head of the IFRC's operations support department. |
| "If this happens, southern Africa will certainly face major flooding with potentially catastrophic consequences," he said. | "If this happens, southern Africa will certainly face major flooding with potentially catastrophic consequences," he said. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7188155.stm">Struggle to aid victims | |
| Mr Rees said that the floods also posed a risk for Lesotho, Swaziland and Madagascar and called for immediate action to avert the crisis. | Mr Rees said that the floods also posed a risk for Lesotho, Swaziland and Madagascar and called for immediate action to avert the crisis. |
| Joao Ribeiro, from the National Institute of Natural Disaster Management, said the River Zambezi was now almost two metres (six feet) above critical level. | Joao Ribeiro, from the National Institute of Natural Disaster Management, said the River Zambezi was now almost two metres (six feet) above critical level. |
| "The forecasts we have indicate that the rains would intensify in the coming weeks, to attain a peak in the second half of February," he said. | "The forecasts we have indicate that the rains would intensify in the coming weeks, to attain a peak in the second half of February," he said. |
| Aid supplies are being distributed by the UN World Food Programme overland but many of the most vulnerable live in remote and difficult-to-access areas. | Aid supplies are being distributed by the UN World Food Programme overland but many of the most vulnerable live in remote and difficult-to-access areas. |
| 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. |
| Schools destroyed | Schools destroyed |
| About 70,000 people have been evacuated from the danger zone, but most have simply retreated to shrinking pockets of higher ground. | About 70,000 people have been evacuated from the danger zone, but most have simply retreated to shrinking pockets of higher 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. |
| Crops have been washed away and transport links severed | |
| Seven people are known to have died in the floods - five drowned and two were killed by crocodiles. | Seven people are known to have died in the floods - five drowned and two were killed by crocodiles. |
| The ministry of education said at least 49 schools had been swept away and that pupils would be housed in tents when the new school year started this month. | The ministry of education said at least 49 schools had been swept away and that pupils would be housed in tents when the new school year started this month. |
| Unicef and the Save the Children Alliance said it would be distributing tents and school kits. | Unicef and the Save the Children Alliance said it would be distributing tents and school kits. |
| It said it was helping local authorities with cholera and malaria prevention and sending in equipment to treat water and improve sanitation. | It said it was helping local authorities with cholera and malaria prevention and sending in equipment to treat water and improve sanitation. |
| "The number of people displaced is fast reaching a critical mass," said Leila Pakkala, the head of Unicef in Mozambique. | "The number of people displaced is fast reaching a critical mass," said Leila Pakkala, the head of Unicef in Mozambique. |
| "Urgent action is crucial to prevent outbreaks of diseases, which are of great concern at the onset of a crisis, especially among children," she said. | "Urgent action is crucial to prevent outbreaks of diseases, which are of great concern at the onset of a crisis, especially among children," she said. |
| 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. |
| Seven hundred people died during disastrous floods in 2000 and half a million were left homeless. | Seven hundred people died during disastrous floods in 2000 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. |