Meteorological history
In October and November 1999,heavy rainfall affected Mozambique,followed by a period of heavy rainfall in January 2000. [3] By the end of January 2000,the rains caused the Incomati,the Umbeluzi,and the Limpopo rivers to exceed their banks,inundating portions of the capital Maputo. [4] At Chókwè,the Limpopo River reached a level of 6 m (20 ft) on January 24,twice its normal level. [5] Some areas received a year's worth of rainfall in two weeks. [6] The resultant floods were considered the worst to affect the nations since 1951. [1]
Flooding was beginning to recede in late February by the time Cyclone Eline made landfall. [7] Eline was a long-lasting tropical cyclone that struck near Beira at peak intensity on February 22. [1] By the end of February 2000,the situation was considered the country's worst natural disaster in a century. [8]
Impact
By late February,the flooding had already caused increases in malaria and diarrhea. Flooding also disrupted water supply and covered roads, [5] with the primary north-south highway cut in three locations. [9] Widespread areas were inundated,which displaced about 220,000 people, [6] and killed about 150 people before Eline struck. [10]
The combined effects of the preceding floods and Eline left about 463,000 people displaced or homeless, [11] including 46,000 children five years old or younger. [12] Overall,the preceding floods and Eline caused about 700 deaths, [1] half in Chokwe. [13] with damage estimated at $500 million (2000 USD). [1] The cyclone and the floods disrupted much of the economic progress Mozambique had made in the 1990s since the end of its civil war. [14]
Aftermath
Before the arrival of Eline,the government of Mozambique appealed to the international community for assistance in response to the flooding,and countries were beginning to provide relief. [1] Mozambique's president at the time,Joaquim Chissano,requested for additional aid after Eline struck, [15] asking for $65 million for both reconstruction and emergency aid, [16] and later increasing the request to $160 million. [17] By March 17,various countries had pledged $119 million to Mozambique. [11] By March 4,39.6 tons of various relief goods reached the country, [18] which nearly overwhelmed the small airport at Maputo. [19]
The government of the Netherlands donated 5 million guilders (US$2.2 million) to the country,following an earlier donation of about 2 million guilders (US$871,000). [16] The Italian government earmarked 10 billion lira,half of which for immediate emergency assistance, [20] and Denmark earmarked €2.68 million euros. [21] Sweden sent 10 million krona and Ireland €507,000 to the World Food Programme. [22] [23] Portugal delivered 40 tons worth of aid,including food,medicine,tents,and dinghies, [24] and the Spanish Red Cross sent two flights of aid. [25] Canada provided about $11.6 million (CAD) to Mozambique, [26] while the United States provided $7 million worth of food via its Agency for International Development, [27] part of its $50 million contribution. [28] The European Community Humanitarian Aid Office provided €25 million in early March. [29] Botswana donated P23 million pula (BWP,US$5 million), [30] and Mauritius provided about $100,000 (USD). [31] The nation of Ghana flew $100,000 worth of food and clothing to Mozambique. [32] Australia also provided $1 million to the country, [33] and Saudi Arabia flew two planes' worth of aid. [34] Concern Worldwide allocated $650,000 (USD) at the end of February. [35] Médecins Sans Frontières sent a crew of five people to Buzi to help residents. [36] The Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation sent $350,000 to CARE in early March. [37] Through the Jubilee 2000,most wealthy nations postponed debt payments for one year. [38] The United Kingdom canceled its $150 million debt in late February, [39] and Italy canceled its $500 million debt in March. [40]
The Mozambique government used boats to evacuate residents in flood zones, [41] setting up 121 camps for evacuees. [11] However,the country had a limited capacity for widespread rescues due to insufficient helicopters. [42] South Africa sent a fleet of twelve planes and helicopters to operate search and rescue missions,as well as airdropping food. [43] They were assisted by two helicopters from Malawi,six from the United Kingdom,and ten from Germany. [44] [45] [46] By March 7,the fleet of 29 helicopters had rescued 14,204 people. [47] [48] Residual floodwaters contributed to outbreaks of malaria and cholera, [49] with malaria infections at four times the usual rate killing at least 11 people. [50] [51] Areas in southern Mozambique also lost access to clean water,furthering dehydration and illnesses. [52] In addition,the United Nations Mine Action Service expressed concern that the floods shifted the locations of landmines left over from the nation's civil war. [53] Later,the remnants of Cyclone Gloria halted relief work due to heavy rainfall. [54] Residents began returning home in early March after floodwaters receded. [55]
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