2000 Mozambique flood
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Duration | February–March 2000 |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 700–800 total[1] |
Damage | $500 million (2000 USD)[nb 1] |
The 2000 Mozambique flood was a
Meteorological history
In October and November 1999, heavy rainfall affected Mozambique, followed by a period of heavy rainfall in January 2000.[3] By the end of January 2000, the rains caused the Incomati, the Umbeluzi, and the Limpopo rivers to exceed their banks, inundating portions of the capital Maputo.[4] At Chókwè, the Limpopo River reached a level of 6 m (20 ft) on January 24, twice its normal level.[5] Some areas received a year's worth of rainfall in two weeks.[6] The resultant floods were considered the worst to affect the nations since 1951.[1]
Flooding was beginning to recede in late February by the time Cyclone Eline made landfall.[7] Eline was a long-lasting tropical cyclone that struck near Beira at peak intensity on February 22.[1] By the end of February 2000, the situation was considered the country's worst natural disaster in a century.[8]
Impact
By late February, the flooding had already caused increases in malaria and diarrhea. Flooding also disrupted water supply and covered roads,[5] with the primary north-south highway cut in three locations.[9] Widespread areas were inundated, which displaced about 220,000 people,[6] and killed about 150 people before Eline struck.[10]
The combined effects of the preceding floods and Eline left about 463,000 people displaced or homeless,[11] including 46,000 children five years old or younger.[12] Overall, the preceding floods and Eline caused about 700 deaths,[1] half in Chokwe.[13] with damage estimated at $500 million (2000 USD).[1] The cyclone and the floods disrupted much of the economic progress Mozambique had made in the 1990s since the end of its civil war.[14]
Aftermath
Before the arrival of Eline, the government of Mozambique appealed to the international community for assistance in response to the flooding, and countries were beginning to provide relief.[1] Mozambique's president at the time, Joaquim Chissano, requested for additional aid after Eline struck,[15] asking for $65 million for both reconstruction and emergency aid,[16] and later increasing the request to $160 million.[17] By March 17, various countries had pledged $119 million to Mozambique.[11] By March 4, 39.6 tons of various relief goods reached the country,[18] which nearly overwhelmed the small airport at Maputo.[19]
The government of the Netherlands donated 5 million
The Mozambique government used boats to evacuate residents in flood zones,[41] setting up 121 camps for evacuees.[11] However, the country had a limited capacity for widespread rescues due to insufficient helicopters.[42] South Africa sent a fleet of twelve planes and helicopters to operate search and rescue missions, as well as airdropping food.[43] They were assisted by two helicopters from Malawi, six from the United Kingdom, and ten from Germany.[44][45][46] By March 7, the fleet of 29 helicopters had rescued 14,204 people.[47][48] Residual floodwaters contributed to outbreaks of malaria and cholera,[49] with malaria infections at four times the usual rate killing at least 11 people.[50][51] Areas in southern Mozambique also lost access to clean water, furthering dehydration and illnesses.[52] In addition, the United Nations Mine Action Service expressed concern that the floods shifted the locations of landmines left over from the nation's civil war.[53] Later, the remnants of Cyclone Gloria halted relief work due to heavy rainfall.[54] Residents began returning home in early March after floodwaters receded.[55]
Notes
- ^ All damage totals are in 2000 values of their respective currencies.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Cyclone Season 1999–2000. RSMC La Reunion (Report). Meteo-France. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
- ^ Floods take a serious economic toll Archived 2007-01-11 at the Wayback Machine, Africa Recovery, 14(3):13
- ISBN 0-253-33978-2.
- ^ "Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ReliefWeb. 2000-01-26. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
- ^ a b "Mozambique: Limpopo Flood Reaches Chokwe". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-01-24. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
- ^ a b "Tropical storm threatens flood-ravaged Mozambique". Disaster Relief. 2000-02-18. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
- ^ "Cyclone reaches Mozambique's southern Inhambane province". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-02-21. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ^ "Mozambique floods situation report 29 Feb 2000". US Fund for UNICEF. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ "Floods Cut Main Highway In Three Places". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-02-06. Retrieved 2014-10-07.
- ^ Emelia Sithole (2000-02-23). "Mozambique's Chissano urges post-cyclone aid". ReliefWeb. Reuters. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
- ^ a b c "Mozambique: Ross Mountain praised media's role and international solidarity floods". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-17. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
- ^ "Mozambique Emergency Bulletin 3: 07 Mar 2000". Save the Children. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
- ^ "Mozambique's flood death toll rises to nearly 700". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-04-03. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
- ^ "Trocaire launches appeal for Mozambique flood victims". Trócaire. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-24. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ Cynthia Long (2000-02-23). "Mozambique to appeal for aid in wake of Cyclone Eline". Disaster Relief. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ a b "The Netherlands gives 7 million guilders in aid to Mozambique". Government of the Netherlands. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-24. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
- ^ "Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 20". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-22. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
- ^ "Mozambique Shudders Over Another Cyclone". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Too much, Too late: Aid now pours into Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Reuters. 2000-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
- ^ "Italy: 10 billion liras earmarked to assist Mozambique". Government of Italy. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-25. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Denmark allocates emergency flood aid to Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
- ^ "Decision on extra money for Mozambique". Government of Sweden. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-28. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Ireland to send half million euros to flood-hit Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-02-28. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Portugal sends 40 tonnes of aid for flood-hit Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-02-28. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Mozambique: Cruz Roja Española ha recaudado más de 100 millones de pesetas en cuatro días". Cruz Roja Española (in Spanish). ReliefWeb. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
- ^ "Maria Minna Announces Additional $10 Million for Flood Victims in Mozambique". Canadian International Development Agency. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-08. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
- ^ "USAID Provide 7 Million Food Aid to Mozambique". United States Agency for International Development. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ Jim Garamone (2000-03-27). "U.S. Military Relief Effort in Mozambique Winds Down". American Forces Press Service. Archived from the original on 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
- ^ "European Commissioner Poul Nielson announces more than 25 Million Euro in aid for victims of the Mozambican floods". European Commission Humanitarian Aid department. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-03. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Botswana Comes To The Rescue Of Zimbabwe, Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ "Mauritius offers 100,000 dollars to Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-03-02. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
- ^ "Ghana donates to Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Pan African News Agency. 2000-03-03. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Australian Assistance for Mozambique Floods". Australian Agency for International Development. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia, Kuwait to send aid to Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-03-05. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Concern: 300,000 people affected by floods in Mozambique". Concern Worldwide. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-28. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Inondations - Médecins du Monde envoie une équipe d'urgence au Mozambique". Médecins Sans Frontières (in French). ReliefWeb. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ "CARE receives $350,000 grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Mozambique aid". CARE. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
- ^ "Mozambique: Debt payments suspended". IRIN. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-16. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
- ^ "Mozambique: Britain cancels debt in response to floods". IRIN. ReliefWeb. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ "Italy plans to cancel 500 mln dlrs of Mozambique's debt". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-03-02. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 9. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). ReliefWeb. 2000-02-24. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
- ^ Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 10. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). ReliefWeb. 2000-02-27. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "More South African aircraft sent to aid flooded Mozambique". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-02-29. Retrieved 2014-09-08.
- ^ Raphael Tenthani (2000-02-26). "Malawi Helicopters Assist Mozambican". Pan African News Agency. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
- ^ "Mozambique: Demand for more disaster assistance". IRIN. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-03. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
- ^ "Germany boosts Mozambique aid, Italian MPS want intervention". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-03-02. Retrieved 2014-09-12.
- ^ Chris McGreal (2000-03-07). "Mozambique: Amid the filth, the first sign of disease". Mail and Guardian. ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
- ^ "Mozambique - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 13". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-03. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- ^ "Mozambique Floods: Concern expands emergency relief operation". Concern Worldwide. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
- ^ "100 000 still trapped by waters and one million homeless". Mail and Guardian. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-02. Retrieved 2014-09-11.
- ^ "Malaria kills 11 Mozambican flood survivors". ReliefWeb. Agence France-Presse. 2000-03-28. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
- ^ "Corpses in water deadly Moz hazard". Mail and Guardian. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-07. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
- ^ "Mozambique: WFP to take food to families marooned on rooftops". United Nations Department of Public Information. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-01. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
- ^ "WFP Emergency Report No. 10 of 2000". World Food Programme. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-10. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
- ^ "People fleeing Chokwe in case of renewed flooding". Médecins Sans Frontières. ReliefWeb. 2000-03-04. Retrieved 2014-09-19.