EU allocates €3 million to help flood victims in Southern Africa

The European Commission is giving €3 million in humanitarian aid to assist the people affected by severe flooding in Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.

" The current heavy rains in the region have caused floods that destroyed houses, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure, leaving thousands in need of shelter, food, water, health services, and protection. We will support the most vulnerable people, those who have lost everything," said Christos Stylianides i, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

More than 1 million people have been affected, about 300 000 displaced and around 300 people were killed by heavy rains and flooding throughout the region. Hundreds of thousands of farmers lost their crops, and many families have been forced to flee their homes due to the high water and landslides.

EU aid will provide the populations hit by the floods with immediate life-saving assistance, such as shelter, food, clean water, healthcare, and household items, including blankets, hygiene material and mosquito nets.

A crucial component of EU aid will be to help recover livelihoods and sources of income for the people. This EU funding will also contribute to preventing outbreaks of diseases caused by water stagnation in affected areas.

Background

Since December 2014, heavy rains and tropical storms have led to severe flooding across the Southern African region. Malawi has been hit the most by the recent incessant rains with 79 people reported dead, 153 missing and over 638 000 people affected. In Mozambique about 137 000 people have been concerned by the flooding in the north and centre of the country and 64 died. In Madagascar about 117 000 people have suffered from the floods and 35 died. Other countries in the region, such as Zimbabwe, have also been hit by the heavy rains.