Marta Paulo was just one day old when the Zambezi waters poured into her parents' house in the village of Gora, Chupanga, in Mozambique. At first, her parents refused to get in the boat, as baby Marta was still too young to be in the open for long, particularly in the warm and humid conditions of the Zambezi valley. As the situation deteriorated, her mother had no choice but to join the rest of the group. They are now among the 4,500 people staying at the Chupanga accommodation camp.

Marta, her two sisters and their mother are among 2,000 people who haven't yet received tents. As we left the camp, they were still sleeping in the open at the side of a dusty road, busy with vehicles going back and forth to rescue more people.

Today, Marta's parents, along with more than 138,000 other displaced people, are anxiously waiting for Cyclone Favio to hit Mozambique. High winds and rain are expected, which could have devastating consequences.

"We have been here for the past two days now and we are only hoping we will get help soon," say Clara Jaoa, Marta's mother. "It is indeed a difficult situation, but what else can we do?"

The Marta's story brings back memories of baby Rozita, whose mother gave birth while trapped in a tree during the Mozambique floods of 2000 and 2001. Marta's story may not hit the headlines, but it is equally as poignant, as she starts her life in the murky waters of the Zambezi River.

One can only hope that Cyclone Favio loses strength or changes course. The current prediction is that it may hit the southern part of Beira. Favio is now category 4, which is very strong. If its current speed continues, it will cause extensive damage to houses and trees. Analysts have also predicted that low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water. Terrain below three metres above sea level will be a high flood risk, and large-scale evacuation of residential areas will be likely.

It was not the best time and place for baby Marta to be born. But even if they don't have enough tents to provide basic shelter for everyone, Mozambique Red Cross volunteers are doing all what they can to help Marta's family stay as safe as possible if the cyclone heads their way.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies recently launched an emergency appeal for 7.5 million Swiss francs (US$ 5.6 million/€ 4.3 million) to support the Mozambique Red Cross Society's response to the devastating floods. It should make it possible to provide temporary shelter to 100,000 people in the four affected provinces, as well as distributing 5,000 tents, 15,000 tarpaulins, 40,000 blankets, 20,000 kitchen sets, bars of soap and 40,000 mosquito nets. The appeal funds will also finance the provision of safe water to affected people and the construction of 500 latrines.

"The cyclone could obviously strain current relief operations," says Hanna Schmuck, the International Federation's field assessment coordination team leader in Mozambique, adding that the international community urgently needs to respond as the situation of the affected people is rapidly deteriorating.

"We also need to increase our response capacity by building on the current operations to reach all victims in the disaster areas with basic commodities and make a difference to the most affected," she adds.

The Mozambique Red Cross volunteers in Beira, and in many other places where Cyclone Favio may hit, are currently busy raising awareness about the cyclone. "It would be a tragic scenario for all affected people if they are hit by a cyclone at a time when they are just healing from the recent flooding. All our staff and volunteers are on high alert and ready to respond, but we need more resources," concludes Fernanda Teixeira, Mozambique Red Cross Secretary General.