Floods in Gaza in 2013

Heavy rains led to floods in Mozambique during the months of January and February 2013. The raging floods left many communities destitute with no homes and utensils to use. Sanitation conditions were identified as urgent needs for the people. Due to lack of clean water to drink and for domestic use, outbreaks of epidemics threatened the lives of the affected. The ministry of health of Mozambique confirmed 413 cholera cases and two cholera deaths between 28 January and 18 February 2013 in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In Gaza province there were marked increases in cases of severe malaria requiring in-patient services. Physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and houses were damaged. 

Approximately 240,827 people were affected by the floods of which 185,897 were temporarily displaced.

Acting within the framework of ACT Alliance, LWF Mozambique jointly worked with Ecumenical Committee for Social Development (CEDES) and the Council of Churches in Mozambique (CCM) responding to this disaster.  

An appeal was issued on March 5, 2013 which target to raise S$1,779,148 to enable ACT members respond to the flood crisis. ACT members implemented activities around food security, seeds distribution, WASH activities, and malaria prevention in consultation with the Government of Mozambique and UN clusters as being the priority. The project was designed to target the most vulnerable displaced persons and persons whose livelihoods had been damaged by the floods but still living in their settlements.

LWF activities under the response:

• Purchased, transported 28,800kg of maize seeds and 18,000 kg of beans seeds to respond to the most critical needs for 3,600 targeted households (HHs), in the districts of Chokwe, Mabalane, Guija and Chigubo. Each HHs received 8KG of Matuba maize and 5KG of Beans in average.  
• LWF purchased and distributed 4800 Certeza bottles.
• Purchased, transported and distributed one mosquito net to each of the targeted 7200 HH
• Purchased and distributed 200 plastic sheet and 400 blankets to   200HHs.
• Formed and trained 18 disaster response committees in the villages
• Carried out regular monitoring field visit and trained communities on proper crop management.