The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching a revised emergency appeal for 11.4 million Swiss francs (US$ 10.3 million / € 7.1 million) to support Red Cross societies in southern Africa in their response to the current flood crisis. A preliminary appeal was issued on January 18 for 8 million Swiss francs (US$ 7.2 million / € 5 million

'The heavy rains since December caused rivers to swell and it remains a particular concern in Mozambique as water levels continue to rise above the alert level along the Zambezi river. The decision to release water from the Kariba dam in neighbouring Zambia makes the situation even more alarming so the crisis is not over,' says John Roche, The International Federation's Operations Coordinator for Africa in Geneva.

More than 334,000 people are currently affected in southern Africa including 106,000 in Mozambique, 139,000 in Malawi, 32,500 in Zimbabwe, 20,000 in Zambia and 24,000 in Namibia. Parts of Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana have also experienced heavy rains or tornadoes.

'Further heavy rains are expected and, in addition to increasing humanitarian needs, the longer term effect of the flooding on crops and food security is becoming a real concern in some areas,' explains Françoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation's southern Africa zone office. 'We also need to put more resources into disaster preparedness activities. We know that a major humanitarian crisis has been avoided so far thanks to the early-warning system and evacuation of local communities conducted by Red Cross volunteers in flood-prone areas and we need to further strengthen those programmes all the more since the pattern of floods across southern Africa has become more frequent and unpredictable', she adds.

The appeal will focus on helping more than 154,000 people for six months. Among other activities, food and other basic emergency items such as tarpaulins, tents, mosquito nets and water purification tablets will be further distributed as well as shelter material.

More latrines will be built. Red Cross volunteers working within local communities in all affected countries will also step us health education and disaster awareness campaigns. One thousand volunteers will also be trained on health promotion in all affected countries.

On January 14, the International Federation had warned about a serious humanitarian crisis looming in southern Africa based on the short term and long-term weather forecasts with rain expected to fall possibly until April. This warning has been relayed by many humanitarian organizations since then.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
Jean-Luc Martinage, Media Officer for Africa Tel: + 41 22 730 42 96 / + 41 79 217 33 86
Media Unit Duty phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.