Mozambique Rapid Assessment (MRA) – Buzi District Profile Purpose of the MRA: To provide a shared understanding of the impact of cyclone Idai and associated flooding in the central districts of Mozambique that: a) identifies priority needs of the affected population; b) priority locations for response (by sector); and c) provides recommendations to inform strategic decisions on resource mobilisation and response planning Impact X Very low Moderate Very High Affected areas need for assistance X Crisis overview Cyclone Idai made landfall on 14 March tracking across the north of Buzi district. Within two days this was followed by extensive flooding caused by prolonged rainfall and increased flow in the rivers originating in Zimbabwe. As a result much of the district suffered both extensive wind and flood damage with most or all homes submerged for around a week in Buzi posto. Many communities were isolated by the floods for more than a week and some remained flooded on 2 April. As of 2 April, most homes are no longer flooded and less than 50% of agricultural land remains underwater. Scope and scale Priority Needs It is estimated that 75% of settlements in Buzi province flooded Estimated at least only days after the cyclone hit with homes flooded for around 7 130,000 in need of days and much cropland still underwater after 3 weeks. Most land food within 25 km of the cost was flooded Wind damage from the cyclone was extensive across the north of the district. Estimated 130,000 in need of shelter Significant damage to health infrastructure is restricting access to assistance essential healthcare while contamination of water supplies and significant reduction in sanitation and hygiene practice is Estimated 100,000 increasing risks of Acute Watery Diarrhoea. Extensive destruction in need of health and of crops and livestock has reduced food security. WASH Access constraints The road from Guara Guara to Buzi is now accessible for 10MT 4x4. The road remains impossible to pass for heavier vehicles. The ferry crossing the river between Guara Guara and the N280 is broken and the passage can only be crossed with pirogues. Buzi South is accessible by sea and allows to reach Buzi town by road (Logs Cluster, 05/04). Limitations This report is based on the initial data from seven sites using the MRA tool, data from other rapid assessments and secondary data. The analysis has been heavily reliant upon expert judgement to extrapolate the limited primary data available. Mozambique Rapid Assessment– Buzi District Page 1 of 15 Drivers of the crisis and underlying factors Cyclone Idai made landfall on 14 March tracking across the north of Buzi district. Within two days this was followed by extensive flooding caused by prolonged rainfall and increased flow in the Buzi river as rainfall and the opening of dams upstream. Climate change vulnerability: Mozambique is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A confirmed dry El Niño episode between November 2018 and March 2019 have had a negative impact on food security in the country. In addition, sudden onset natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, and cyclones occur regularly. The most devastating storm to make landfall in Mozambique was Tropical Cyclone Eline, which hit the southern parts of the country in February 2000, killing 350 people and displacing 650,000 others across Southern Africa. Other major category 3 cyclones occurred in 2007 and 2008 (285,000 affected, 163,000 displaced), 2011 and 2012 (108,000 affected), 2013 (186,000 displaced), 2015 (160,000 affected and 50,000 displaced). The last tropical category 4 cyclone to hit Mozambique was in mid-February 2017, affecting some 750,000 people (Reuters 15/03/2019, Wunderground 13/03/2019, IPC 10/2018, FloodList 16/02/2017, WFP 05/02/2015). Population density and poverty: Up to three-quarters of the population of Buzi district live below the poverty line. Floods disproportionately affect the poor, who live in more vulnerable areas and in housing that is susceptible to damage by sudden onset disasters. This disparity in wealth is likely to be increased by the impact of the cyclone and associate flooding: analysis conducted in Mozambique has shown that events such as cyclones, and floods can lead to a drop of up to 25-30% in per capita food consumption. (The Conversation 04/04/2019, Direct Relief 14/03/2019, HPR 2018/2019, ACAPS 01/2012). Political situation: A financial crisis sparked in 2016 led to financing from the IMF, World Bank and many Western countries to be suspended. Mozambique’s political and financial problems are likely to hinder the government’s ability to respond in the aftermath of the cyclone (Citizen Truth, 28/03/2019, Ministério da economia e financas 28/02/2019). Insecurity: Cabo Delgado province (northern Mozambique) is currently experiencing a violent Islamist insurgency. However, the situation is very unlikely to hamper aid distribution and humanitarian access in areas affected by Cyclone Idai. Scope of the crisis and humanitarian profile Estimated People in Need: 130,0001 People Affected: 177,000 (whole district) Female: 94,000 Male: 83,500 (53% of total pop) (47% of total pop) Girls: 47,000 Under 5 Girls: 16,000 Boys: 41,750 Under 5 Boys: 14,500 (up to 18 years old, assumed as (under 5 years old, assumed as (up to 18 years old, assumed as (under 5 years old, assumed as 50% of total pop – UNICEF) 17.3% of total pop – UNICEF 50% of total pop – UNICEF) 17.3% of total pop – UNICEF 1 See Methodology section for further explanation. Based on the three priority sectors, we take the highest number to represent PIN. Mozambique Rapid Assessment– Buzi District Page 2 of 15 Key Characteristics Demographic profile: Total population 177,384 / Men 47,14% (83.593) / Women 52,86 (93,751) / Households 34,933 (2017 Census) Food security figures: Sofala IPC projections January to March 2019: IPC 1 Mininal 1,333,082 (60%), IPC 2 Stressed 866,503 (39%), IPC 3 Crisis 22,218 (1%) (IPC January – March 2019 Projections 10/2018) Nutrition levels: (Countrywide) Prevalence of moderate and severe stunting 43% (UNICEF 2018) Health statistics: Under-five mortality rate 72.4/1,000 live births countrywide WASH statistics Buzi: Piped Water 1.1% / Non-piped water 98.9% / Improved latrine 2.6% / Unimproved latrine 4.2% / Traditional improved latrine 12.4% / No latrines 80% (INE 2007) WASH Statistics Rural Mozambique: • Drinking water: improved 48.8% of which 12.7% piped, 39.1% non-piped. • Sanitation: improved 14.9, of which 12.3% not shared, 2.5% shared / unimproved 38% / open defecation 47.2%. • Handwashing: observed 44% / facilities lacking water or soap 37% / facilities with water and soap 7.6% (WASHDATA 2015) Literacy levels: Countrywide: completion rate primary education 40% / youth literacy rate (15-24 years) / adjustednet attendance rate (primary) 71% / adjusted net attendance rate (lower secondary education) 16% (UNICEF 2018) Access to basic services (household figures): Electricity 2.3% / Generator 0.5%. / Gas 0.1% / Wood 29.8% / Petrol, parafina, kerosene 66.1% Photo: Resident of Buzi shows how she kept her child alive as floodwaters rose in her home; IFRC, Buzi, April 4, 2019 Mozambique Rapid Assessment– Buzi District Page 3 of 15 Crisis Impacts Overview: Buzi district was one of the district affected with flood and cyclone Idai. According to Government figures, 154,332 people have been affected (30,867 families), 108 deaths’ 13,600 flooded houses and 58,337 hectares affected (as of 5 April). During the assessment it was advised that some localities are isolated and people need food assistance urgently. For that was necessary to find the coordinate points of the localities and start rapid assessment to find what are the needs and request respective agencies or sector/clusters to intervene. Four out of seven prisons in Sofala province have been damaged by the cyclone. In Buzi, 40 prisoners and prison staff are trapped on the roof, without food nor water. (ICRC 22/03/2019) Displacement Estimates of number of displaced people should be complemented with official figures however, in Pavo it was estimated at 3,000, Guaraguara: 2,500, Barada: 36, Chicoio: 20, and Estaquinha: 251. Respondents do not report any displacement from outside their community. According to INGC, there are 7 accommodation centres open with 16,714 persons currently housed there (INGC SitRep, 05/04). Health Cases of AWD are reported in all locations, with the exception of Macurungo. No cases of measles were reported. Respondents reported malnutrition in 6 of 10 locations. All locations have reported malaria. Some cases of diarrhoea, some respiratory diseases, Malaria, TB and HIV. Small babies that were not breastfeeding showed signs of malnutrition (DEMA rapid assessment report, 2 April). Health infrastructure is reported as destroyed in Macarungo, Estaquinha and damaged in Vile cede Buzi. Chicoio and Barada. The condition of essential equipment is reported as damaged in every location with medicines being the highest reported missing essential equipment (EQ) with Buzi, Guaraguara, Barada and Chicoio missing Lack of medicines for diarrhoea and malaria reported in Bandua (WFP-VAM, 3 April). The Health centre in Grudja is not functioning and all the material have been destroyed (WFP-VAM, 3 April). Reporting issues from Buzi district has meant that the picture on overall health impact and needs is still a gap. WASH All the sites visited had been inundated by floods and reported a deterioration in the WASH situation. Key informants in all the sites visited indicated that some the residents of their village/neighbourhood usually use certeza and/or chlorine to treat water to make it safer; in half the sites, most people treated water, in half, only a few were reported to treat water.