2000 Mozambique flood

The 2000 Mozambique flood was a natural disaster that occurred in February 2000. The catastrophic flood was caused by heavy rainfall lasting for five weeks, that led to the overflowing of rivers. In some areas, 75% of a year's rainfall fell in three days. The situation was intensified when Cyclone Eline hit the same area on 22 February, 2000. Floodwaters peaked on 1 March at 8 metres (26 feet).

The United Nations listed in 2004 that the great flood killed 800 people and affected 1,500,000 (about 12% of the nation's people). The death toll was increased by survivors who were left to suffer lack of food, clean water, and medical supplies in makeshift camps. Tens of thousands of people contracted Malaria. The disease stemmed from mosquitoes swarming and breeding in the floodwaters.

Over 45,000 people were rescued from rooftops, trees, and other isolated areas. This effort was at first carried out by only a few Mozambican naval vessels. The governments of South Africa, Malawi, and Mozambique provided less than a dozen helicopters to the rescue effort. Action by the government and international aid organizations was slow. Significant resue equipment arrived from Europe and North America three weeks after the onset of the flood.

The flood had a tremendous effect on the agriculture of Mozambique. 90% of the country's functioning irrigation infrastructure was damaged, causing the worst of the agriculture losses suffered. 1,400 square kilometres of cultivated and grazing land was lost, leaving 113,000 small farming households with nothing. 20,000 head of missing cattle were reported, many were feared to have drowned or contracted disease. Every major valley south of Beira was affected by the overflowing of rivers.

630 schools were closed, leaving 214,000 pupils without classrooms. 42 health units were destroyed, including Beira Central Hospital, the second largest in the country.

The Mozambican government requested $450 million in international aid at a donor conference held in Rome in early May, 2000.

One of the iconic images of the flooding was Sofia Pedro giving birth in a tree while surrounded by flood water. She was then rescued by the South African Air Force who flew both her and her new daughter Rositha Pedro to Chibuto.

External links

* BBC News special report
* Guardian special report
* United Nations briefing