Mozambique - The Emergency Humanitarian Assistance to Populations Affected by Flood and Draught

Mozambique was affected by natural disasters in both 2007 and 2008. While still recovering from the devastating floods of 2007, Mozambique once again experienced major flooding in four central provinces along the Zambezi River basin in early 2008. The 2008 floods were the consequence of high levels of rainfall in Mozambique during late December 2007 and January 2008, compounded by persistent heavy rains in neighboring countries (Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi). While the impact was greatest in the Zambezi River basin, the situation was also severe in the Búzi, Púnguè, Save and Licungo River basins where hydrometric levels fluctuated above alert levels for nearly two months. The country also encountered severe rainfall deficit casing drought in certain districts of Mozambique’s three southern provinces. The flood and drought victims of Mozambique’s 2008 natural disasters, most of whom depend on subsistence agriculture lost homes, food reserves and most, if not all, of their 2007/2008 harvest.