In Zambia, an initial assessment in six districts in Southern Province shows that almost 4,500 houses have collapsed, and almost 3,500 additional households have been affected. The Zambia Government is indicating that it have the resources to respond to the needs in the assessed areas, with support from in-country private sector donations. They have already provided 15,000 mT of maize for response during 2007-08, and have released $3.5 million for the procurement of relief items such as tents, blankets and mosquito nets.
In neighbouring Mozambique, DFID has provided some £97,000, through Save the Children, for the delivery of emergency water and sanitation to 10,000 affected people. The UN is also drawing on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for priority operations in the humanitarian response. DFID is the biggest contributor to the CERF, having provided £40 million in 2008. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched a preliminary appeal for $7.3 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs of up to 150,000 people across the region. DFID is finalising its response to this appeal.
Assessments of the situation by Government, UN and NGO agencies are ongoing, and DFID continues to monitor the situation closely. We will respond as unmet humanitarian needs are identified.