GENEVA, Jan 18, 2008 (AFP) - The International Red Cross launched an appeal Friday for millions of euros in aid to help victims of flood-ravaged southern Africa, as conditions threatened to worsen for six countries in the region. "We fear the crisis is only beginning and humanitarian needs will increase in all affected countries in the coming days," John Roche, Red Cross operations coordinator, said in a statement. The Geneva-based organisation is requesting five million euros (7.2 million dollars) in international assistance to support its southern African chapters deal with floods that have deluged Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, in particular.
Malawi and parts of Namibia have also experienced heavy rainfall, while two other countries, Namibia and Zimbabwe, have been hit by hailstorms, the Red Cross said. "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," Roche said. The aid would help roughly 150,000 people who urgently need shelter, food, clothing, clean water and sanitation, the agency said, adding it was concerned that stagnant water could spawn water-borne diseases. Strong rains began last month in parts of Zimbabwe before spreading to Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland and Madagascar. Conditions are particularly alarming in Mozambique, devastated by flooding last February that was immediately followed by a cyclone.
This year's flooding has already claimed some 50 deaths, according to the United Nations -- although Mozambican authorities say only 10 have died to date. On Wednesday, Mozambique's disaster management institute said current flooding in the country could cause more material damage than catastrophic rains seven years ago that killed more than 700 people and caused 800 million dollars in damages. The floods have also killed several people in Zambia and Zimbabwe. On Wednesday, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa also appealed for international aid.
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