The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an emergency preliminary appeal for 8 million Swiss francs (US$ 7,2 million / € 5 million) to support Red Cross societies in southern Africa to respond to a potentially disastrous flood crisis.

"The heavy rainfall recorded over the last month has caused rivers to swell, particularly the Zambezi river. As a result, widespread flooding has severely affected Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, whilst Lesotho and Swaziland have been hit by hailstorms and Namibian Caprivi region and Malawi have experienced daily rains," says Françoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation's southern Africa zone office which is supporting all Red Cross societies in the region involved in emergency response operations.

"We are just in the middle of the rainy season and, according to weather forecasters, heavy rains are expected to continue above the usual average," explains John Roche, Operations Coordinator for southern Africa in Geneva. "We fear that this crisis is only beginning and humanitarian needs will increase in all affected countries in the coming days. So far, the action of Red Cross volunteers rescuing people from flood-affected areas to take them to higher ground has saved hundreds of lives especially in Mozambique but due to the scale of the crisis, it is urgent to bring strong additional support," he adds.

More than 150,000 people will benefit from the preliminary appeal as an immediate response. The operations are likely to increase over the next six months. Most of them are in urgent need of shelter, food, clothing, clean water and sanitation. "We are concerned by the health security situation since the presence of stagnant water can easily lead to the development of water-borne diseases," says Fernanda Teixeira, secretary general of the Mozambique Red Cross Society, whose country has been the hardest hit so far.

Temporary latrines will be built, tents, tarpaulins, mosquito-nets and water purification tablets will be distributed. Red Cross volunteers working within local communities in all affected countries will also step us health education and disaster awareness campaigns. The appeal will be revised according to the assessments that are being conducted. Special attention will be given to early recovery so that people can restore their livelihoods as soon as the water starts to recede.

On Monday, the International Federation had already warned about a potentially disastrous humanitarian crisis in southern Africa based on the short term and long-term weather forecasts with rain expected to fall possibly until April when, in fact, the water levels have already reached alarming levels.