Malawi: Floods DREF Bulletin No. MDRMW002 - Update no. 1

The Federation’s mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.

In Brief

Period covered by this update: 3 February 2007 to 26 April 2007.

History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation:

- CHF 88,704 allocated from the Federation’s DREF on 2 February 2007 to respond to needs in this operation and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population.

- This operation was expected to be implemented for three months; a DREF Bulletin Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation.

This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals:

- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.

- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.

- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.

- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Background and current situation

In early 2007, Malawi experienced heavy rains which caused flooding in Chikwaka, Nsanje and Mangochi districts of Shire region. The floods caused extensive damage in the three districts:

- Chikwaka District experienced heavy rains as of 1 January 2007. Two deaths were reported and a total of 20,061 households were affected. 7,666 hectares of various crops (maize, sorghum, millet, cotton and rice) were destroyed, 917 houses collapsed and a significant number of chickens and goats was swept away.

- In Nsanje District, one death was reported and 1,351 households were affected. 475 houses collapsed and 1,804 hectares of crops were damaged.

- In Mangochi District, flooding was experienced on 13 February 2007. A total of 503 houses were destroyed, 2,143 families displaced, 50 hectares of maize and 32 hectares of rice destroyed and livestock (goats, cows, sheep and chicken) were swept away. Two bridges were washed away, rendering the district inaccessible. Most latrines in the flood affected areas collapsed and pose a health hazard due to a potential outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera. Prior to the floods, Malawi had experienced a cholera outbreak which started in August 2006 and recorded 142 cases, with two deaths. The areas flooded in the beginning of 2007 reported nine cholera cases between 5 and 11 February 2007. Furthermore, Mangochi District is prone to malaria and there are still fears of an outbreak since floodwaters in stagnant pools have presented ready breeding spots for mosquitoes.