If they don't, they may lose their lives. Thousands of Malawians fled to higher ground in Mozambique. Thousands of Mozambicans fled to Malawi. In both countries, flood survivors are weak from hunger, stress and exposure. Some being rescued say they haven't eaten for the past three weeks.
Some communities already have cholera or dysentery.
But they are the ones who are suffering most of its bad effects. In Zambezia, the Christian Council of Mozambique with help from partners is already deep in emergency relief. Water purification filters, clothing and blankets have arrived in Zambezia from Maputo. From its base in Quelimane, CCM hopes to help up to 12,000 families with water filters, clothing and blankets, domestic survival kits, seeds and tools. Already CCM is looking long term, admitting that with climate change natural calamities are for now a fact of life here.