CERF helps flood-affected in Mozambique

(Johannesburg, 11 February 2013): Heavy and persistent rains in January have led to massive flooding in southern Mozambique, killing 105 people and temporarily displacing an estimated 150,000 people. Hundreds of houses were destroyed and crops and infrastructure were severely damaged. More reports are being received as affected communities are reached. In addition, new floods in the central and northern regions of the country have already temporarily displaced an additional 50,000 people.

Leading the response, the Government of Mozambique, supported by partners, has already disbursed US$10 million from its own emergency reserves to cope with the emergency. Thanks to these funds, as well as those provided by the international community in Mozambique, food and relief supplies are being distributed, especially in temporary displacement sites and through air drop or air bridges to isolated areas. However, given the scale of the disaster, national resources are not enough to address the growing needs of those who have lost everything in the devastating floods.

In response, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is managed by OCHA, disbursed $5.13 million to UN agencies to provide immediate life-saving assistance such as shelter; food; medical aid; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); protection and logistical support to the people in need. The World Food Programme (WFP) received $2.3 million, and more than $1 million was allocated to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) respectively. A further $820,000 was given to a joint UNICEF/UN Population Fund (UNFPA)/World Health Organization (WHO) project.

“While much has been done, much more is needed. These CERF funds will go a long way in ensuring that assistance is provided to those who need it most,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Mozambique, Ms Jennifer Topping.

The CERF allocation will form part of the larger Response and Recovery Proposal, which seeks $30.6 million from the international community to support the Government of Mozambique to help 150,000 people affected by the floods for six months (this proposal was developed before the latest flooding in central and northern Mozambique). Approximately $5 million in pledges has already been received and OCHA is calling on donors to support these efforts to ensure an effective humanitarian response, a quick early recovery and increased community resilience.

Mozambique is one of 126 UN Member States which contributes to CERF, highlighting the value of CERF to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. CERF is funded by voluntary contributions from Member States, international and national NGOs, regional and local governments, and the private sector. Donors have so far pledged more than $383 million for 2013, bringing the total amount contributed to CERF since March 2006 to more than $3.2 billion.