Reacting Before The Disaster

After floods killed more than 700 in 2001, the government in Mozambique has shifted its disaster management from 'response' to 'prevention'. With recent floods swallowing villages whole, the new disaster prevention efforts have saved hundreds.

1 minute read

February 21, 2007, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"Whole villages submerged. Hungry families. An estimated 70,000 now homeless. The nightly updates list the mounting challenges as Mozambique experiences the worst flooding since 2000 and 2001."

"Unlike six years ago, when the flooding killed some 700 people, the government says that fewer than 10 people have died so far."

"This time, the Mozambican government moved early and deliberately to avert a massive humanitarian crisis. Months ago, it began preparing to evacuate villages, moved food supplies into the area, and had set up early warning systems throughout the flood-prone Zambezi River basin."

"Over the past year, the Mozambican government has revamped its disaster-management agency, making it prevention-focused rather than response-oriented. Floods, droughts, and cyclones are going to happen in this country, the government realized, so the best approach is to minimize their impact."

FULL STORY: Massive flooding returns, but Mozambique prevents disaster

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 in The Christian Science Monitor

Social / Demographics Africa

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