The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal to support the Mexican Red Cross relief operation following devastating floods in Tabasco state.Torrential rains over the past week have caused flooding which has affected some one million people.

Tens of thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, crops have been ravaged and livestock has drowned. At least 90 per cent of the city of Villahermosa, the state capital, is under water and 80 per cent is without electricity and running water.

The Federation, of which the British Red Cross is a member, is appealing for £500,000 to support 40,000 people affected.

Emergency relief for Mexicans in Tabasco

The funds will be used to provide these families with food as well as relief items (hygiene articles, kitchen utensils, mosquito nets and jerry cans) over the next four months, as well as to replenish vital emergency stocks of the Mexican Red Cross (MRC).

"We are concerned with forecasts that rain will continue because of a persisting cold front," said Christine South, Federation operations coordinator for the Americas. "We must make sure that vital stocks which were distributed by the Mexican Red Cross are replenished to make sure we are prepared for future needs."

In Tabasco, 815 shelters have been opened, currently housing more than 110,000 people. Nearly 3,000 schools are flooded, and 390 schools on high ground are being used as shelters.

Mexican Red Cross mobilised

Some 6,000 Mexican Red Cross staff and volunteers have been working round the clock since the flooding began. To date, the MRC has mobilised 450 tonnes of relief supplies, consisting mostly of food parcels and clothing as well as 225 tonnes of bottled water.

An additional 400 tonnes of food parcels are on their way to the affected area. The Red Cross, working in close collaboration with the authorities, has distributed some 56,000 family food parcels.

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