Security - Death toll in SA, Mozambique flood rises to 69 - The death toll in the flooding that has ravaged South Africa's Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces as well as neighbouring Mozambique has risen to 69 by Tuesday, as relief efforts continue. Apart from claiming lives, the flooding has displaced thousands, destroyed homes and schools, and damaged road infrastructure and farms.
The South African humanitarian group Gift of the Givers (GOTG) said it had been working with central and local governments and communities to provide much-needed assistance to the affected communities.
Aid workers in Maputo say about 1,100,00 people have been displaced, the vast majority in the districts of Guija and Chokwe in Gaza province.
Relief workers said that in some areas whole villages have been submerged and the situation is dire with major crop destruction, food insecurity, absence of clean drinking water, homelessness, as well as the danger of cholera, malaria and diarrhoea.
In Mozambique, the South African government has put in place various rescue operations, including the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) team consisting of scuba divers and health professionals.
Helicopters have also been been deployed in flood ravaged areas and an aircraft has been sent with supplies to affected communities as part of government's multi-pronged relief effort.
“During this time of tragedy and heartbreak, our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones in these floods. We call upon all South Africans to lend a helping hand in creating support structures to the victims, who among others, also lost houses, businesses and livelihoods, in the process of rebuilding their lives,” according to a statement by Moloto Mothapo, a spokesman for the ruling African National Congress.
On Monday, GOTG began augmenting the relief efforts of the SANDF and have offered boats, divers, aquatic rescue personnel, paramedics and medical teams if required in the event the water level rises again.
“In addition, a 100-ton emergency aid package is being prepared at our Johannesburg warehouse for immediate transport to Mozambique,” said GOTG spokesman Imtiaz Sooliman.
Pana 29/01/2013