WRITTEN QUESTION P-0639/00

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Natural disaster in Mozambique

Sever weather in Mozambique has already driven large numbers of people from their homes, caused heavy loss of livestock (c. 40 000 head of cattle so far), destroyed some 70 000 hectares of crops, mainly millet and rice, and made it extremely difficult to guarantee supplies of drinking water.

The economic, social and health problems already caused by the weather conditions may well worsen a fresh cyclone is forecast, and the weakness of Mozambique's economy means that an adequate and timely response is simply impossible. What emergency measures is the Commission planning to take to help the Mozambique authorities to cope with this disastrous situation?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(24 March 2000)

The Commission is very concerned about the emergency situation in Mozambique. The continuing torrential rains throughout the southern Africa region, aggravated by Cyclone Eline, have led to displacement of large numbers of people and there has been considerable damage to housing and infrastructure. Many people have lost their lives, disappeared or been injured.

The government of Mozambique appealed for humanitarian aid from third countries. The international community has provided substantial assistance in the search and rescue phase (now complete) and to the ongoing relief efforts. Official contributions and pledges to date are estimated at 100 million, over 60 % of which has come from the Community (Commission and Member States).

The Commission member responsible for development and humanitarian aid visited Mozambique on 2 and 3 March 2000 together with the Portuguese Secretary of State to assess the situation.

In response to the initial flooding caused by heavy rains in early February, the Commission approved 1 million in emergency relief funding to be channelled by its Humanitarian aid office (ECHO) through Red Cross and non-governmental organisation (NGO) implementing partners, of which 750 000 went to Mozambique and 250 000 to Botswana. These agencies addressed the most urgent needs of moving people in danger to more secure areas, while providing essential relief items, emergency shelterhealth care, and water and sanitation. In addition 1,4 million from the food security budget line has been made locally available to the Commission's delegate and the Mozambique Government to improve food security for the victims.

In the wake of the further damage wrought by Cyclone Eline, the Commission has processed a second decision for an amount of 2 million, primarily focusing on emergency relief in the Limpopo and Save river basins (Provinces of Gaza, Inhambane and Sofala), where the destruction and displacement is greatest. A third, more significant ECHO financing decision, drafted in close consultation with partners in Maputo, was endorsed on 14 March 2000 by an inter-service task force (ECHO, DG Dev, SCR) set up to ensure the coherence of the Commission's short-term and medium-to-long-term intervention. The strategic focus of the third decision will be to promote resettlement through emergency food security (the planting season commences in a few weeks), water and sanitation, health (including small-scale rehabilitation of health centres), and cholera contingency/preparedness.

A senior regional ECHO expert recently completed a 10-day needs assessment mission to Mozambique; a permanent ECHO technical assistant has been recruited and will be deployed in the field next week, where he will monitor the implementation of ECHO funded operations and liaise with the central coordination structure set up by the Government of Mozambique with United Nations support.

The Commission is also preparing a medium-term Community response combining NGO co-financing with European development fund (EDF) operations to help Mozambique in redressing the crisis and in re-establishing the rapid pace of growth for which Mozambique had worked so hard. An additional amount of 21 million was announced by the member of the Commission during his visit to Mozambique. It is envisaged that this response would link the current phase of emergency through to re-construction within a three to four year horizon.