More than 4,500 homes and over 100 schools have been damaged by the floods
Heavy rains in central Mozambique have created the country's worst floods for six years, forcing some 120,000 people to flee their homes for higher ground. About 40 people in the Zambezi valley are reported dead.
Water levels are continuing to rise and officials fear that another 200,000 people could be displaced from their homes over the coming weeks.
Damage
According to government reports, more than 4,500 homes and over 100 schools have been damaged by the floods. Four health centres have also been submerged beneath the water.
Agriculture has also been badly affected with 15,000 hectares of crops lying in ruins just two months ahead of the harvest season.
There are fears that the worst is yet to come. Controlled releases from the giant Cahora Bassa dam, in the northwest, threaten to increase the water level downriver, while the north of the country is also at risk of flooding as heavy rains continue to fall.
Mozambican children wait for food aid after being evacuated from their village. photographer: REUTERS/ Grant Neuenburg, courtesy www.alertnet.org
Hippopotamus menace
Thousands of people are trapped on islands of dry land in the flooded delta where currents are too strong for ordinary boats.
The stranded people are at risk of hippopotamus and crocodile attacks as the animals try to find somewhere safe from the strong currents.
Islamic Relief’s Action
Islamic Relief has allocated an initial $20,000 for intervention in this crisis.
IR aid workers from the IR's South Africa office are on their way to Mozambique to assess areas of intervention.
Donations can be made online or by calling your nearest IR office.