Concern at people returning to flood-prone areas

WFP said on Monday it was discussing concerns with the government and its humanitarian partners encountered over people returning to flood-prone areas of the country.

A WFP spokesman told IRIN described the issue as “a serious problem” which had been identified with the post-floods resettlement programme in Mozambique.

In its latest situation report last week, WFP said: “It seems that the displaced do not wish to stay in the allocated locations and prefer to go back to their home areas, which are exposed to flood risks. Some resettlement areas are within already existing communities, while in others the soil is reportedly of a poor quality so people are reluctant to invest work.”

It also cited reports that some families were awaiting reconstruction materials, but did not plan to build in the locations allocated to them.
“We have brought these issues to the attention of the authorities,” the WFP spokesman told IRIN.

In July, WFP distributed food to 543,660 people. The number of WFP beneficiaries in Mozambique he said had decreased by an estimated 100,000 people in recent months, especially in the southern Gaza and Maputo provinces.

WFP said it expected a further decrease of beneficiary figures after a review in Sofala, Manica and northern Inhambane provinces. Free food distributions were being reduced as the situation improved. WFP also said the main causes of food insecurity in Mozambique remained crop losses and reduced fishing opportunities as a result of the floods in February and March.

Meanwhile, the UN said it planned to hold a seminar early next month to discuss the lessons learned from the flood relief operation in Mozambique. The floods, brought on by two cyclones, claimed 650 lives and left half a million homeless.