FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Maputo, Mozambique, February 26, 2007--Massive flooding in central Mozambique, made worse by last week's arrival of tropical cyclone Favio, has now forced about 165,000 people from their homes in one of Africa's poorest countries. The majority of displaced families is living in makeshift settlement areas with limited or no food, water, sanitation facilities or shelter, according to World Vision's relief teams on the ground.

"Many families who escaped the flash floods are now trapped on islands of higher ground surrounded by thick mud and filth water," said Liz Satow, a World Vision aid worker responding to the disaster. "Many have built makeshift shelters out of grass and twigs, which can't provide adequate protection from the torrential rains we're continuing to experience here."

Because of its ongoing work in Mozambique, World Vision was able to respond immediately to the crisis by ferrying people to safety and providing emergency aid. The Christian humanitarian agency has so far assisted some 70,000 people with food, tents, water purification kits, survival kits, latrine slabs, soap, water tanks and mosquito nets.

Yet the needs remain acute, as the majority of displaced families have lost their maize harvests along with their homes. At the same time, access remains a serious challenge, with many areas unreachable except by helicopter. Even where floodwaters have receded, it is still too deep for vehicles but now too shallow for boats, Satow reports.

To fund an initial three-month relief response, World Vision is seeking $2 million from private and public sources. The rainy season here continues through late March, making it impossible for most families to return home until then. Continued rains could also cause further flooding.

World Vision has worked in Mozambique since the mid 1980s, and is continuing its long-term development programs alongside its current flood response.

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World Vision aid worker, Liz Satow, is available to speak to the media from Mozambique. Please contact Rachel Wolff at 253.815.2072, 253.394.2214 or rwolff@worldvision.org.

Notes to Editors:

Geographical focus area: The World Vision relief response will focus on the district of Mutarara, where an estimated 52,000 people are displaced. Makeshift settlements are scattered throughout the district.

Sectoral focus areas: Food and food security: Prior to the floods, World Vision had a food-for-work program in Mutarara for about 3,500 people. This program will scale up and continue to be an important part of the relief response, focusing on the spontaneous settlements as the target population.

In order to contribute to greater food security for the displaced population, World Vision will provide tools and maize seed and sorghum for 5000 families (some 25,000 people). This will allow the displaced population to make the most of the planting season in early April as the rains stop and the river recedes.

Water and sanitation: Potable water is an issue throughout Mozambique. Flooding has made the matter worse by creating large concentrations of people in small areas without water or sanitation. World Vision will assist in the provision of clean drinking water and appropriate sanitation facilities to decrease the spread of waterborne disease.

Protection: Protection of the most vulnerable will be built into sectoral programming at every level. In terms of specific programming, World Vision will focus on the specific needs of children through the use of Child-Friendly Spaces in two camps. These Spaces will allow children a safe place to play, provide opportunities for learning and help address their psychosocial needs.

Public health: World Vision will continue its work in HIV/AIDS education in Mutarara and will also distribute mosquito nets to the displaced population.

Education: World Vision plans to collaborate with UNICEF to ensure that schools have adequate supplies to meet the needs of children.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.