•    On 21st February Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) reported that the tropical cyclone Favio, rated as a category four cyclone, is forecast to strike Mozambique early on 22nd, February, according to the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center of La Reunion. The cyclone’s current maximum average sustained winds reach 185 km/H with gusts of 260 km/H, and the cyclone is moving at an average speed of 17 km/H.

•    Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology cautions that strong winds will likely affect coastal districts of southern Gaza, Inhambane and northern Sofala provinces. The country’s new cyclone early warning system states that the potential damage from a category four storm at landfall includes widespread destruction of homes, buildings and industrial structures (including power grids), as well as crops and trees.

•    The cyclone may also impact the current emergency situation in central Mozambique, where flooding in the Zambezi basin has displaced more than 120,000 people. While the damage from the cyclone’s strong winds will likely have serious short-term negative impacts, the rains associated with the storm may provide welcome relief to drought-affected areas of northern Gaza, Inhambane and southern Sofala provinces.

•    Although water levels for the Cahora Bassa Dam are still above normal operational quantities, dam managers have decreased its discharges from 5,500 cubic meters per second to 3,300 cubic meters per second.

•    On 21st February FEWS NET released the Africa weather Hazards assessment for 22-28 February 2007. Full report attached.

•    On 21st February OCHA MAOZAMBIQUE released a sitrep. Main issues as follow:

    1.    In support of the Government of Mozambique's efforts to respond to the current floods it has been decided to implement the cluster approach  
           for the coordination of the humanitarian response to the floods in Mozambique. The following clusters have been established:

2.    The INGC has established an operational group in Caia, including partner staff members, which is working to implement a system to ensure the effective delivery of supplies, based on the plan developed.

3.    The teams undertaking the multi-sectoral assessment to build upon initial assessments, travelled to the affected areas on 18th February to begin work. The assessment will be conducted by governmental and non-governmental partners, and will cover areas including education, food, nutrition, health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, market access, shelter, protection, assistance received, status of basic infrastructure and security.

4.    One of the urgent needs is food. Today, 21.19MT of food were distributed to 8,095 people in of Inhangoma.

5.    The telecommunications is one other area of great need. TDM confirmed that the leased line for phone, fax and data transmissions will be installed in Caia by Wed., 21 Feb. Télécoms sans Frontières (TSF) is currently providing data transmission via two RBGAN workstations at the CENOE in Caia.

6.    The logistics for the delivery of supplies remains a concern. In order to address the situation, the INGC in Caia has developed an overall action plan to guide the effective response and delivery of supplies, by centre and by component (food, water and sanitation, health, education and shelter). The action plan will guide the distribution of supplies to all of the centers, with specified time schedules and responsible partners outlined, and will be monitored during the daily de-briefing sessions at the Central Operations Centre in Caia.

7.    INGC radio room at Caia was installed by WPF ICT staff at the beginning of the emergency operations. This radio has contact with the majority of local Administrations in the region, as well as INGC and WFP bases in Maputo, Beira and Tete. A second phase room was installed on 18th February at WFP air-operations Office in Caia. This radio room is available for use by any organization involved in the emergency response.

8.    The INGC helicopter that will be used primarily for assessments has arrived in Caia, making a fleet of two helicopters, including the WFP MI-8 already on location. The MI-8 continues to do assessment flights as well as move people and food to areas cut off by road.

9.    Development Partners Group (DPG) members regarded the cluster approach as very open and participative. This feedback was provided during the briefing session chaired by Ndolamb Ngokwey, UN Resident Coordinator, with donors held on 16 February. The meeting is part of the effort to ensure a better coordination and information among partners in supporting the Government of Mozambique to address the emergency situation at the Zambezi River.

• Please refer to the attached map produced by OCHA for the situation in Mozambique.