Mozambique Cyclone and Floods Report #2 – 22 February 2007
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Mozambique Cyclone and Floods Report #2 – 22 February 2007 Background Flooding of the Zambeze river valley continues to drive people from their homes increasing the risk of water borne disease and other public health problems. Highlights Tropical Cyclone Favio ripped through an already flooded Mozambique with rain and winds nearing 200 km/hr, exacerbating flooding of the Zambeze river valley. Previous flooding in the provinces of Tete, Manica, Sofala, and Zambezia, has displaced approximately 120 000 people, a number that could rise after the storm. An estimated 70 925 people are already in accommodation centres and 49 866 in resettlement centres that were established after the 2001 floods. Affected people have lost their homes and livelihoods as well as access to medical facilities, sanitation and safe drinking water. Health Situation The displaced population is living in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation and little access to safe drinking water. Morbidity and mortality from malaria, the primary cause of child mortality, and diarrhoeal diseases is expected to increase. Preliminary Assessment Results WHO/MOH teams are returning from the field with preliminary assessments of the situation. As of 22 February: Tete Province: - In Zumbo, 13 950 people are affected, losing primarily crops and livestock. - Access to Zumbo District is very difficult. It is reachable only by air, more than two days by boat, and car through Zimbabwe ( 8 hours minimal ). - Only two residential areas have access to the health facility. - There are few latrines and lack of potable water. - Health concerns include malaria, diarrhoea, and dysentery. - Quelimane Province: - Health facilities are reporting cases of diarrhoea, malaria, conjunctivitis and skin diseases. - The health risk is assessed as very high – no tents or mosquito nets were available in the camps. - Water and sanitation issues were not being addressed. - Sofala Province: - Lack of air transportation makes assessment difficult. - Assessments of three regions (Caia, Marromeu, and Mutarara) find all the settlements except one have been able to establish a health facility. - The remote camp with no health facility has been able to evacuate critical patients and the camp has received food and support. - Latrines are being constructed and/or expanded. - Chlorine is available in all camps to treat water, but there is a shortage of soap. - Health and hygiene messages are being provided to camp staff. - Diarrhoea and malaria cases are in line with seasonal cases. - The malaria home pulverization team has already arrived in Caia and is ready to start. - Manica Province: - Team has returned from the field and information is being processed Cyclone impact Preliminary reports indicate that the area around Vilanculos District, Inhambane province, south region of Mozambique has been particularly hit yesterday . Local authorities reported at least four deaths and 80 light injuries meanwhile the roof of the hospital has been damaged and a number of inpatients evacuated. A large proportion of community houses and services were destroyed. Access is difficult because roads have been blockaded by trees and electric wires. The water supply system is interrupted. Water is being provided through an alternative system (water container from the GVT). There is no electricity. Rapid response to the cyclone - The Ministry of Health yesterday evening send a track with tents and medicines drugs to deal particularly with trauma cases - The National Institute for Disasters Management (INGC) will sent generator to ensure power supplies meanwhile the Red Cross will establish a field hospital and will assist in sanitation and staff. - A needs assessment team has moved today to the affected are by the Cyclone Cyclone: Public Health Risks - The main cause of health risks and deaths from cyclones occur from injuries, trauma, and asphyxiation due to entrapment from building collapse and wind-strewn debris. Electrocution or drowning happens while securing property. - Outbreaks of communicable diseases are rarely observed with cyclones, but the risk of water borne disease and vector-transmitted disease can be exacerbated. - Damage to health infrastructures and lifeline systems can result in food shortages and interruption of basic public health services. - Pending an assessment, needs can be anticipated as: search and rescue, triage, managing population displacement in the short term, raising awareness on the risk associated with cleanup activities. - Over the long term, maintaining food security conditions can be a necessity with the destruction of crops and livestock. WHO’s Response The cluster approach for coordination of the international humanitarian response has been implemented and WHO is the lead on Health. On Monday 26, in Maputo, WHO and the Ministry of Health will co-chair a Health Cluster meeting to discuss the comprehensive health assessment findings and agree on an action plan. On Friday, 23 February, a teleconference of the Global Health Cluster on the crisis in Mozambique has been organized to share information with all partners. WHO will provide essential medicines and medical supplies, health education materials, training for community workers, technical support in the field and at central level for health coordination. WHO first response has been supported by regular budget funds. A proposal for a CERF grant has been prepared and approved. So far, WHO country office has dedicated $50 000 from its budget to support this operation. Mozambique Cyclone and Floods Report # 2 – 22 February 2007 .