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South African Floods
(March 7, 2000)

Out of all the places where pregnant Virginia Matabelethought about giving birth, in the treetops was probably not one of them.

But the highest branches were all that Virginia had left in Mozambique, where flooding has left hundreds dead. A rescue helicopter pulled Virginia and her baby from the tree and to a hospital.

Sofia and her daughter's adventure was just one of the heroic acts performed recently.

More than 10,000 people were rescued by airlifts. One million people are now homeless, countless livestock are dead and the season's crops and vegetation are submerged under muddy waters.

Mozambique Underwater

The flooding in Mozambique is the worst in 50 years. Floodwaters cover an area as large as the state of New Jersey.

And just as the country was recovering from a month of heavy rains, Cyclone Eline struck.

The cyclone produced torrential rains throughout the entire South African region, pounding not only drenched Mozambique, but Zimbabwe, Zambia and the country of South Africa.

U.N relief workers are facing the double challenge of feeding people and stopping disease. More than 200 cases of malaria a day are reported and other diseases carried in dirty water are spreading. Relief workers estimate that 1 million people will be exposed to malaria or cholera.

Providing food relief has been difficult too. Many flood victims have gone without food or clean drinking water for more than a week. Most of the roads are underwater and many of the bridges have been washed away. Aid workers distributing food must wait while helicopters continue rescue missions.

International Relief and Aid

International aid has begun to arrive in Mozambique. South Africa is using seven helicopters to rescue victims. Germany and Spain are sending five helicopters. England is sending helicopters and 70 motorboats. The United States has pledged $37 million in aid and six planes to help deliver food.

The U.S. was originally to send 900 troops but reduced that number to 600. Western leaders have been criticized by the international community for a slow response in providing aid and relief supplies.

Mozambique runs along the East Coast of the African continent. It is one of the world's poorest places. Nineteen million people live in Mozambique. Only 3 out of 5 people can read and life expectancy is just 47 years (as opposed to 76 in the U.S.).

Before the flooding, Mozambique was showing promising signs. The country had ended a 16- year civil war in 1992 and its economy grew fast in 1999. But many fear that the flooding will destroy the growth and drive up the $8.3 billion Mozambique already owes to other countries.

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