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Press Release
16 January 2008
UK support for flood victims in Mozambique
Emergency relief kits for 10,000 people affected by the floods in Mozambique were today announced by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development.
Douglas Alexander said:
“Flooding in Mozambique and across Southern Africa has brought misery to thousands of people as they are forced to leave their homes, many for the second or third time in recent years. Whilst the death toll has thankfully been low, those people who have been displaced no longer have shelter or equipment for cooking and cleaning.
“To help these people, the UK is providing emergency kits for up to 2,000 families. The kits include blankets and plastic sheeting for shelter and cooking pots, water containers and soap. Distributing these kits quickly can prevent the spread of disease which often happens following floods.
“The Department for International Development has also sent a humanitarian advisor to the region and will continue to monitor the impact of the floods across the Southern Africa region. We are ready to provide further assistance as necessary following humanitarian assessments.”
The £97,000 will be provided to
Save the Children UK who will distribute the
emergency kits to affected families in Mozambique.
As the largest contributor to the
UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
DFID funds will also be used to support the co-ordinated international flood
response. The CERF ensures that resources can be made available quickly to
kick-start humanitarian operations in the event of disasters.
Notes for Editors
1. Heavy rainfall in Southern Africa has caused flooding in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe and Malawi. So far, Mozambique is the worst affected, with approximately 50,000 people evacuated. River levels are predicted to continue rising.
2. Each kit, which can assist a family of 5 people, comprises:
- blankets;
- plastic sheeting for shelter;
- cooking pots and utensils;
- eating utensils;
- cups and protected water containers;
- water purification tablets or liquid; and
- household soap.
3. DFID has provided £42.4 million to the CERF during 2007.