United Nations Development Programme (New York)
27 November 2007
document
Mozambique has shown countries can learn to live with the threat of floods, reducing vulnerability in at-risk communities, says this extract from the UN Development Programme's Human Development Report 2007/2008.
Countries cannot escape from the accidents of geography that put them in harm's way and increase their exposure to climate risks. What they can do is reduce these risks through policies and institutions that minimize impacts and maximize resilience. The experience of Mozambique powerfully demonstrates that public policies can make a difference.
One of the poorest countries in the world, Mozambique is ranked 172 out of 177 on the Human Development Index (HDI) and has more than one-third of its people living on less than US$1 a day. Progress in human development has gathered pace over the past decade, but extreme climate events are a constant source of vulnerability.
Tropical cyclones that gather in the Indian Ocean are a major cause of storms and flooding. The flooding is aggravated by the fact that Mozambique straddles the lowland basins of nine major rivers—including the Limpopo and Zambezi—that drain vast areas of south-eastern Africa before crossing the country on their way to the ocean.
In 2000 Mozambique was hit on two fronts. Heavy rains at the end of 1999 swelled river systems to near record levels. Then, in February 2000, cyclone Eline made landfall, causing extensive flooding in the centre and south of the country. Another cyclone— Gloria—arrived in March to make a bad situation worse. Emergency services were overwhelmed and donors were slow to respond. At least 700 people died and 650,000 people were displaced.
During 2007 Mozambique was revisited by a similar climate event. A powerful cyclone, accompanied by high rains, destroyed 227,000 hectares of cropland and affected almost half a million people in the Zambezi basin. Yet on this occasion 'only' 80 people died and recovery was more rapid.
What made the difference? The experience of the 2000 flood gave rise to intensive dialogue within Mozambique and between Mozambique and its aid donors. Detailed flood risk analysis was carried out across the country's river basins, identifying 40 districts with a population of 5.7 million that were highly vulnerable to flooding. Community-based disaster risk management strategies and disaster simulation exercises were conducted in a number of high-risk basins.
Meanwhile, the meteorological network was strengthened: in flood-prone Sofala province, for example, the number of stations was increased from 6 to 14. In addition, Mozambique has developed a tropical cyclone early warning system.
Mozambique's policymakers also recognized the importance of the mass media in disaster preparedness. Radio is particularly important. The local language network of Radio Mozambique now provides regular updates on climate risks, communicating information from the National Institute of Meteorology.
During 2007, early warning systems and the media enabled government and local communities to identify the most at-risk areas in advance. Mass evacuations were carried out in the most threatened low-lying districts. Elsewhere, emergency food supplies and medical equipment were put in place before the floods arrived.
While much remains to be done, Mozambique's experience demonstrates how countries can learn to live with the threat of floods, reducing vulnerability in at-risk communities.
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