UNITED NATIONS APPEALS FOR $13.6 MILLION TO ASSIST 300,000 FLOOD VICTIMS IN MOZAMBIQUE
Press Release
IHA/696
UNITED NATIONS APPEALS FOR $13.6 MILLION TO ASSIST 300,000 FLOOD VICTIMS IN MOZAMBIQUE
20000223GENEVA/NEW YORK, 23 February (OCHA) -- The United Nations today issued an Inter-Agency Appeal to address the devastation caused by recent floods in Mozambique, which is considered to be the worst in 30 years. The United Nations is appealing for $13.6 million in order to provide emergency assistance over the next six months to some 300,000 people affected by the floods. Priority areas for assistance include food aid, health, shelter, water and sanitation and repairs to basic infrastructures, such as schools. The Secretary-General, who remains deeply concerned by the desolation caused by the floods, has called on the international community for a generous response to this appeal.
The Government of Mozambique estimates that up to $50 million will be required over time to address the worsening flood situation. In addition to the response of the United Nations, the International Federation of the Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations are also providing assistance, particularly in the shelter sector.
Carolyn McAskie, Emergency Relief Coordinator a.i., emphasized that it is imperative to speed up the delivery of assistance to Mozambique at this critical stage to prevent the loss of more lives, additional damage to essential infrastructure and the spread of disease. She also highlighted the fact that this tragedy has hit Mozambique at a time when it is still on the long road to recovery from years of conflict.
For further information please contact: Donato Kiniger-Passigli, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva (tel.: 917 2653); Phyllis Lee or Rosa Malango, OCHA, New York (tel.: 963-4832/2380). Please also see OCHAs Web site at: .
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