Relief efforts resume in flood-stricken Mozambique
POSTED: February 26, 2007
By Staci Dennis
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Widespread flooding along the Zambezi River has devastated homes, crops and is expected to displace more than 500,000 people.
OBI and Mercy Air brought one ton of food as well as medical supplies to this stranded group of people.
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MOZAMBIQUE, Africa -
Now that Cyclone Favio has subsided, Operation Blessing's relief efforts have resumed to the stranded people in central Mozambique.
Water levels from recent floods are dropping at a rate of 50 centimeters a day, officials report. However, with the receding water levels, new problems are arising.
"Areas that were previously accessible by boat are now cut off and the ground is so saturated by water that, in the majority of cases, any attempt to reach the flood zone by truck is impossible," said David Darg, OBI's assistant director of international programs.
In addition, unsanitary conditions are contributing to rising cases of cholera and dysentery, while stagnant water is becoming a major breeding ground for mosquitoes and malaria.
OBI is utilizing two helicopters – a Eurocopter from Mercy Air and a Bell Jet Ranger with Marine Reach that was flown in from Tanzania – to resume relief efforts this week.
The efficiency of delivering food and supplies will increase by attaching hooks and nets to the bottom of the helicopters. The nets hang below the helicopters and make loading and unloading easier.
"While each chopper is out delivering a load, a ground crew can be loading up the empty net," explained OBI President Bill Horan. "This will shorten cycle time between our base and the islands where survivors are gathered. We will save fuel and greatly increase the quantity of product delivered to victims."
Mozambique, located in the southern tip of Africa, has a notorious past for severe flooding during the rainy season, which typically lasts through March. However, this year has been particularly bad.
This year alone, flooding has displaced more than 170,000 people and killed 45, officials said.
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Doctors with Humedica treat patients who have been stranded by flood waters. |
OBI is the only NGO working out of Caia that is reaching cut off communities by air and making daily deliveries of food, medical aid, tarps, blankets and other relief items supplied by the International Red Cross and the World Food Program.
Floodwaters are currently at the same levels as in March 2001 – when the region experienced one of the worst floods in its history. The 2001 flood claimed more than 700 lives and displaced a half a million people.
AP contributed to this report.
How You Can Help
You can take part in helping Mozambique's displaced citizens and other victims of disaster by making an online donation toward "Mozambique Flood Relief." With your support, OBI can continue to provide food, medical care and more to thousands of hurting people.
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