Bonn, 14th February 2007. Following devastating floods around the delta of the Zambezi River in the Chinde district of central Mozambique, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe has released 50,000 euros for immediate relief. The money will partly be used to acquire two boots with sizeable outboard motors in order to rescue people from the flood zone, as well as providing 10,000 people with food, tarpaulin for shelter and mosquito nets.

"Water levels have risen to over seven meters," describes Walburga Greiner, Welthungerhilfe's Regional Director in Mozambique. "That's the same level that water was at during the heavy floods of 2001." Rising waters have been caused by weeks of heavy rain along the Zambezi River, which runs through Zambia and Zimbabwe and has its source in Angola.

The problem has been aggravated by the situation at Mozambique's main hydro-electric dam, the Cahora Bassa, which was full to capacity despite predictably high levels of water. All the flood gates have since been opened and the water has released into the river delta. "The water is moving at an astonishing 9,000 cubic meters per second," explained Greiner. "The flood gates were opened again yesterday. The situation will get worse."

Many people are trapped on pockets of land in the flooded delta area where currents are too strong for ordinary boats. In addition, people are vulnerable to the many crocodiles and hippopotamuses which are currently seeking refuge from the strong currents on river banks.

Together with its local partner organisation, Welthungerhilfe is the only aid agency working in this area hit by heavy floods in 2001. With a population of 140,000 people, the region is extremely inaccessible and provides considerable logistical challenges.

Walburga Greiner is available for interviews upon request.

For further information see www.welthungerhilfe.de