The government of Mozambique says some 1.4 million people were seriously affected by the drought of the past two years. An additional 2 million people are at risk given the damage caused by the floods brought on by the Tropical Storm Delfina. This brings the total number of people at risk in Mozambique to 3.4 million people, which is a significant increase from the same time last year.
With crops lost to the storm and a late start to the planting season, the next harvest wont likely produce enough food to sustain residents. Experts believe food aid may be needed into June 2003. The drought is affecting the production of wild fruits, which are sources of food in times of scarcity, and the availability of wild meat has been drastically reduced due to overuse. Also, households have not built up many assets following the floods of 2001.
CARE's Response
Working with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in parts of Northern Inhambane province in southern Mozambique, CARE is:
Supporting food-for-work projects to feed about 47,000 people in 42 communities;
Expanding efforts to provide emergency food aid to an additional 334,615 people;
Providing seeds for sweet potato and other fast-growing crops, as well as for crops with staggered production cycles, such as tomatoes, onions and lettuce; and
Starting small irrigation projects and other longer-term activities to reduce the impact of the drought.
