68,000 displaced; 280,000 more may be evacuated

Extreme rainfall leading to massive flooding in the area of Caia in Mozambique, Africa, has left at least 68,000 people homeless. Experts fear 280,000 more people – who live in mud huts and subsist on raising vegetables and livestock – could be forced from their homes over the next week. As many as 60,000 people have successfully been evacuated from the coast of the Zambezi River, where the worst of the flooding began.

	Mozambique is bordered on the east by the Indian Ocean, and is located between South Africa and Tanzania. Life expectancy currently averages no more than 40 years for this impoverished country.

For many of the displaced, this is the second time in six years that they have lost their homes to flooding.

Food for the Hungry has dispatched staff members to Mozambique to coordinate relief efforts. FH currently has relief and development programs already in place in the country, and is working now to increase the efforts in the face of the recent flooding.

"Although Food for the Hungry currently has a long-term presence in Mozambique, the current crisis is becoming too large to address with local resources," says Paul Wagner, the point person for the Relief Unit heading to Mozambique. For that reason, the Relief Unit was requested. I will be going to conduct needs assessments of the impact of the floods and to support the Mozambique staff in a devising a relief program."

Food for the Hungry has been making great progress against widespread malnutrition in Mozambique in the past several years. However, the programs can suffer setbacks as a result of the current flooding. Additional funds are needed now to effectively deal with the scope of the devastation.

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This crisis has only just begun. While Food for the Hungry has quickly mobilized its people to provide emergency help such as food, water and other basic items, additional funding is critical to make sure many more people in need receive help in a timely manner. Please consider making a donation today to help those who are suffering from this sudden environmental disaster.

To make a contribution to relief efforts in Mozambique, please click here!