Situation Report 11 – SOUTHERN AFRICA FLOODS – 13 MARCH 2008

CONTEXT According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), southern Angola and northern Namibia will continue to experience heavy rains as will 1. Category 4 tropical cyclone “Jokwe” hit the coastal parts of southern Malawi. Tropical cyclone “Jokwe” is areas of Mozambique on 9 March, 2008, with winds expected to bring more rains over the southern parts of up to 170 km/h and torrential rains. “Jokwe” is th of Mozambique and Madagascar. the 12 cyclone to develop in the Indian Ocean so

far. Its arrival topped records for the highest 3. According to the latest figures from national disaster number of cyclones in one season, possibly in a authorities, the cumulative number of people affected decade according to meteorologists. by rains and floods since October 2007 in Southern

Africa, including those affected by tropical cyclones in 2. The border between Namibia and Angola, in the Madagascar, has reached 927,710. area of the Cunene and Cuvelai River basins has

received higher than average precipitation, while Table 1. Regional overview of affected persons the rest of southern Africa has remained moderate Affected (persons) Cause with areas of central and southern Mozambique experiencing drier conditions, except for the Angola 81,594 Rains, flooding northern areas experiencing heavy rains and Lesotho 4,500 Tornado, windstorms in the last week due to arrival of hailstones Tropical Cyclone “Jokwe”1. Heavy rains have Madagascar 332,391 Cyclone, rains, moved over northern Zambia where national flooding authorities do not exclude the possibility of a Malawi 180,246 Rains, flooding second wave of flooding. Mozambique 113,535 in resettlement Flooding Figure 1. Model Precipitation Forecast for 13 – 19 March, 2008 (mm) centres + 160,000 (2007 caseload) Namibia 3,000+ Rains, flooding Swaziland 2,500 Rains, hailstorms Zambia 34,776 Rains, flooding

Zimbabwe 15,168 Rains, flooding Total 927,710

SITUATION OVERVIEW

4. Angola: Assessments to the areas affected by recent flooding in the south are ongoing. Preliminary results indicate that communities affected by flood waters, particularly in the province of Cunene and its capital, Ondjiva, are experiencing a cholera outbreak. Reports of cholera are also coming from areas directly across the border in Namibia, which may be attributable to the Source: NOAA/Climate Prediction Centre close tribal ties and cross-border movements that exist between these communities. No information is available to date on fatalities.

1 Reference is made to the 12 March 2008 Tropical Rain Monitoring Mission precipitation and anomalies map at http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/trmm_rain/Events/thirty_day.html

• This situation report, together with additional information on the current crisis is also available on http://www.reliefweb.int. As your tool for timely information sharing, please encourage submissions of documents and maps by email to [email protected]. 5. Madagascar: Tropical storm “Jokwe” hit the Table 2. Preliminary assessment of damage caused by TC “Jokwe”, northern most part of Madagascar on 5 March 2008 as of 11 March 2008. before gathering strength and graduating to a Persons dead 7 cyclone. The storm destroyed 44 houses in the Houses totally destroyed 9,316 district of Nosy Be and affected 400 persons. The Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Houses partially damaged 3,220 Catastrophes (BNGRC) already responding to the Source: UNCT Mozambique damage caused by Fame and Ivan delivered food and relief items totaling one million Ariary (approximately US$570,000) to the region of Diana. 11. The Government's National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC), UN Agencies and other 6. Following assessments, the BNGRC reports that humanitarian partners conducting a rapid needs cyclone “Ivan” has hit up to 14 regions and 44 assessment and providing humanitarian assistance to districts of Madagascar, affecting in particular affected populations in the cyclone-affected areas. Fenerive Est, Sainte-Marie, Soanierana Ivongo, Vavatenina, Amparafaravola and Toamasina II. 12. At present, cyclone “Jokwe” is tracking southward in The BNGRC also reports that as of 7 March 2008, the Mozambique Channel. It remains possible that the 93 persons have died, more than 191,180 persons cyclone, now a Category 2, will re-gain strength over have been left without shelter out of a total of the open sea and return to strike the Mozambican 332,391 affected persons countrywide. In addition, coast again. Overall, however, the risk of renewed 50,948 hectares of rice fields are flooded. About flooding in central Mozambique is considered small. 15,000 are in the region of Alaotra Mangoro, an area that yields 30% of the national rice production. 13. On 11 March 2008, the INGC declared the end of the Another 135,708 hectares of other crop fields are Red Alert for the river basins of the central region of also flooded. Mozambique, which include the Buzi, Púngue, Save and Zambezi rivers. The Red Alert was declared on 3 7. On 10 March 2008, WFP deployed a Mi-8 January 2008. helicopter to Madagascar to assist in the transportation of key relief items and humanitarian 14. Water levels in all central and northern region rivers staff to isolated areas. The helicopter will be based have been decreasing and are below alert levels. The in Fenerive Est where relief goods have been pre- Cahora Bassa Dam is discharging water into the positioned by humanitarian partners in accordance Zambezi River at a low rate, below 2,000 cubic meters with the contingency plan. Meanwhile, the per second. As the rainy season continues through assessment to the region of Atsimo Atsinana has March, authorities and people living near rivers remain been postponed due to bad weather conditions but on alert. it is expected to visit as soon as possible the districts of Midongy, Befotaka and Vondrozo. 15. In March 2008, WFP, INGC and partners are shifting from general distribution of food assistance to 8. Malawi: The Department of Disaster Management implementing food-for-reconstruction projects in all Affairs (DoDMA) continues to receive reports of resettlement centers, where displaced families are damage caused by heavy rains and floods, in being encouraged to build their homes and live particular in the districts of Chitipa and Ntchisi, permanently, instead of returning to low-lying areas where a hailstorm has damaged crops. near the river. 9. Between 3 and 9 March 2008, 35 cases of cholera and three deaths have been reported in the districts 16. Limited funding for helicopter operations will force a of Nsanje, Neno, Blantyre, Chikwawa and Salima. reduction to one helicopter from Wednesday, 12 The deaths all occurred in Neno district. Since 7 March 2008, despite continuing problems with road November 2007, a total of 922 cases and 16 deaths access along the Zambezi River. have been recorded. 17. Namibia: Assessment to the areas affected in the 10. Mozambique: On 8 March 2008, tropical cyclone north and northeastern parts of Namibia are expected “Jokwe” hit Nampula Province in northern to yield a clearer identification of needs by 18 March Mozambique, killing at least seven people and 2008. destroying more than 9,000 houses. The storm also caused sustained structural damage. Districts in 18. There have been no confirmed updates on the number northern Nampula Province were the worst of casualties, which remains at 29. Initial assessments affected, including historic Ilha de Moçambique, the suggest that the regions of Omusati, Ohangwena and first capital of Mozambique. Oshana are the most affected, in particular in urban areas. Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over the water and sanitation needs of the communities affected by the flood waters.

21. The latest crop monitoring report by the Ministry of Agriculture anticipates a decline in expected crop yields due to water logging, leaching of nutrients and flooding, which has occurred in many districts of the country as a result of heavy rainfall. Contact details: 22. According to the Food and Agriculture sector, Andrea Recchia, approximately 65,000 households have Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Johannesburg), +27 11 517 1624 experienced crop-losses ranging from 20 to 80% due to the floods. Due to the substantial crop-loss Alfred Nabeta and the potential impact this will have on peoples’ Desk Officer (Geneva), +41 22 917 2732

livelihoods, partners in this sector are developing a Mette Tangen, recovery plan. About 20,000 of these households Desk Officer (New York), +1 917 367 3001 are in areas conducive for dry season cropping and would be able to benefit from a timely distribution of Elizabeth Byrs, Press contact (Geneva), +41 22 917 2653 inputs. Stephanie Bunker, 23. A new camp has been established 50 km east of Press contact (New York), +1 917 367 5126 Kafue town by the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) to host 273 people displaced by the opening of additional spill gates of the Itezhi-Tezhi dam. ZRCS provided shelter and is establishing water and sanitation facilities.

24. Zimbabwe: According to a report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, excessive rains in the first half of the 2007/2008 rainfall season have had a negative impact on cropping in most parts of the country. The excessive rainfall, particularly during December 2007, made it difficult for farmers to prepare their land for planting, including undertaking mechanical weeding and applying fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide. Water logging, nutrient leaching and the absence of top dressing fertilizer are likely to make yields for all crops lower than those of the last season and possibly leave a higher national maize deficit.

HUMANITARIAN FUNDING

25. As of 12 March 2008, donors have committed and contributed 14% of the more than US$ 89 million required to fund the Southern African Region Preparedness and Response Plan 2008 launched on 11 February 2008.

†† Please note that figures quoted on affected persons for Madagascar in page 1 have been revised based on latest assessments available.

Compiled by OCHA on the basis of information provided by donors and appealing organizations.

Donor Funding % of Grand Uncommitted USD Total pledges USD

Private (individuals & organisations) 6,846,129 56.3 % 0 Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 4,625,583 38.1 % 0 United States 313,100 2.6 % 600,000 Allocations of unearmarked funds by UN 150,000 1.2 % 0 Japan 140,187 1.2 % 0 Germany 75,794 0.6 % 0 European Commission (ECHO) 0 0.0 % 2,269,289

Grand Total: 12,150,793 100 % 2,869,289

* includes contributions to the Consolidated Appeal and additional contributions outside of the Consolidated Appeal Process (bilateral, Red Cross, etc...)

Page 1 of 2 Click here to download the latest updated report version Funding Uncommitted pledges

NOTE: "Funding" means Contributions + Commitments

Pledge: a non-binding announcement of an intended contribution or allocation by the donor. ("Uncommitted pledge" on these tables indicates the balance of original pledges not yet committed.) Commitment: creation of a legal, contractual obligation between the donor and recipient entity, specifying the amount to be contributed. Contribution: the actual payment of funds or transfer of in-kind goods from the donor to the recipient entity.

* includes contributions to the Consolidated Appeal and additional contributions outside of the Consolidated Appeal Process (bilateral, Red Cross, etc...)

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