Floods across southern Africa displace many By Dharam Shourie

New York, March 28 (PTI) Floods across southern Africa,
caused by heavy rainfall, have caused massive damage to land
and property and displaced thousands of people, the United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) said Saturday.

In Angola alone, the lives of 160,000 people have been
upset by the rains and OCHA fears that number is likely to
increase. Schools and other public buildings are being used as
shelter, interrupting education and other public services.

With some USD 600,000 already allocated to various
emergency actions in Angola, UN humanitarian agencies are
requesting more funds for shelter, food and other necessities
from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which
is managed by OCHA.

In Namibia, where 13,000 people have been displaced, many
health facilities and schools are either flooded or
inaccessible, the Office reported.

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has declared an
emergency for the north-central and north-eastern part of the
country and appealed for international assistance. In
response, a flash appeal based on the outstanding needs
jointly identified by the government, the UN and humanitarian
partners, is being finalised.

In addition, the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination
(UNDAC) team has arrived in Namibia to help survey the
situation and provide support to the local authorities.

Also in Namibia, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
is assisting with sanitation and communication materials, as
well as with planning for gaps in education and protection of
displaced persons. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is also
supporting protection projects within the relocation camps.

The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) has allocated USD
27,800 to the Namibian Ministry of Health for emergency kits
to ensure basic health care for about 10,000 people, which
includes five tons of medicine for diarrheal diseases and
other emergency materials.

On the east coast, Cyclone Izilda is now dissipating
south-west of Madagascar but could still pour more rain onto
central and southern Mozambique, OCHA said.

The office added that international response to the
previous two cyclones that affected Madagascar in January has
been adequate, but USD 400,000 is still required as an
emergency measure to rehabilitate 20 classrooms for
some 3,000 children who risk losing an entire school year.

Most of Zambia, northern and southern Malawi, and northern
Botswana have also been hit by deluges, OCHA said. PTI DS
HMK