David Kilgour
The Floods in Mozambique
The images on our television screens of the floods in Mozambique were shocking: people scrambling onto roofs and treetops waiting, and praying to be plucked to safety by helicopters; fighting to reach dry land or a high point before water rose over their heads engulfing them; the footage of a woman giving birth to her child in a tree, while at the same time holding on for dear life.
The floods that ravaged Mozambique and its neighbours, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, in March were the result of weeks of torrential rain and a cyclone and the result was nothing short of a calamity. Approximately one million people were affected by the worst flooding Mozambique has seen in 52 years.
Canadians have seen images of destruction and disaster from faraway countries before. Only a year and half ago, we were responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in Central America, a tragedy of historic proportions in which people lost lives, family members, property and crops. In both instances, Canadians showed great depths of generosity and compassion in their response to crises abroad.
On March 13, I had the incredible experience of being on board one of the two Canadian airbuses that landed in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, carrying a small part of Canada's contribution of emergency relief supplies. The airlift brought in desperately needed supplies, such as blankets, plastic sheeting, water pumps, chlorine, soap, shovels and picks, as part of Canada's $11.6 million contribution to flood victims.
Standing on the tarmac in the blazing sun working with Mozambicans and Canadians unloading the supplies was a proud moment to be a Canadian. Almost as fast as we could unload the plane, Mozambicans were loading the supplies into trucks to begin getting much-needed items into the hands of the victims living in 97 camps across the country, mostly in the North where the worst flooding occurred.
During my brief visit to Mozambique, about five hours in total, I did not have a chance to see the areas that were most affected, but did see some of the damage the floods caused. I spoke with international non-governmental organisation (NGO) volunteers working on the ground, such as the World Food Program, Red Cross, CARE, UNDP, and Canadian NGOs, who painted a vivid picture of the situation further North. Looking out of the airplane window as we flew into Maputo, one could see flooding west of the city, a lot of water in the fields and extensive erosion in the city.
Maputo is a very elegant, sophisticated city with historic buildings and overhanging flame trees along grand avenues. It used to be a honeymoon headquarters destination for South Africans. When we arrived, it looked like there had been an earthquake. There was massive soil erosion; roads had fallen away; in one place there was a big cavernous hole that stretched for a couple of hundred yards, just one example of destruction in a country that was one-third underwater.
Someone told me that more damage has been done by these floods than in 16 years of civil war. That is the real tragedy of this situation. Mozambique has been one of the major success stories in Africa in terms of post-war reconstruction and a liberalised economy. It was emerging from destruction and working towards a promising future until this natural disaster occurred and set development back by at least 15 years.
Mozambique has struggled and succeeded in forming a working democracy following a lengthy civil war between the then Marxist Frelimo Government and Renamo rebels. The conflict ended in 1992 after a UN peace process led to the signing of a peace accord, which brought about the first fully democratic elections in the country's history in 1994. The democratically elected President Chissano restructured and stimulated Mozambique's economy with major economic reforms including commercialisation and privatisation of parastatals, the introduction of new legislation and regulatory structures, and the encouragement of private investment in key sectors.
Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, with 60 per cent of the population living in absolute poverty, Mozambique has enjoyed one of the fastest growing economies with an annual growth of more than 8 per cent for 3 years. Its key sectors, port and rail, agriculture and fisheries, were thriving and expanding.
With massive donor investment, from partners such as Canada, Mozambique had rebuilt schools and hospitals. Now that infrastructure will need to be repaired, or even rebuilt. Mozambique's President Chissano has said it will take $250 million and many years to rebuild the country.
Another hurdle facing the country is its $8.3 billion debt, which Mozambique is hoping will be cancelled. The Paris Club of creditor nations has agreed to defer all of Mozambique's debt servicing payments until a global accord cancelling the country's debt is approved. This relieves the country of $15 million per week, which can be used for development.
Mozambique has no bilateral debt with Canada; Canada gave $8 million to the government of Mozambique to assist them in meeting the World Bank HIPC (Heavily-Indebted Poor Country) criteria for the speedy forgiveness of bilateral debt. In addition, Canada has encouraged creditor nations to forgive all of Mozambique's debt as soon as possible to allow the money to be channelled into reconstruction efforts.
Mozambique is one of the world's most heavily mined countries, with between one and two million mines landmines buried throughout the country. The impact of the floods on the landmines is a major concern. Flooding has displaced mines making it unsafe for people to return to areas where they used to walk freely and hampering the reconstruction efforts.
Canada responded to the United Nations appeal for a Mine Action Response in Mozambique by contributing $500,000, to pay for the first mine assessment after the floods. The mission is assessing the situation, mapping the flood plain and creating public awareness of the dangers that landmines pose.
In addition to the government response, Canadians themselves responded tremendously to this crisis. They were touched by the stunning pictures of suffering they saw and were compelled open their hearts and wallets to provide support for Mozambicans. Across the country, Canadians donated to UNICEF, the Red Cross and other agencies. In Ottawa I attended a fundraiser organised by the local community where $21,000 was raised mostly by simply passing a hat around the room.
Canadians have big hearts. We see a need and we feel compelled to respond, to do our part to alleviate pain and suffering even when it is being felt half-way around the world. Mozambique's flooding was not the first natural disaster to require assistance; nor will it be the last time the international community, including Canada, will be called upon to help. What we must make sure is that every time we see startling images of human suffering on our televisions screens, it stirs us to act and we continue to feel that as Canadians we have a part to play in providing humanitarian assistance.