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Swaziland: Storm - Information Bulletin n° 1

Countries
Eswatini
Sources
IFRC
Publication date

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.
In Brief

This DREF Bulletin is being issued based on the situation described below reflecting the information available at this time. CHF 74,251 (USD 60,219 or EUR 47,203) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to respond to the needs in this operation. This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will be completed by 8 November 2006. A Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

This operation is aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals:

  • Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
  • Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
  • Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
  • Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Background and current situation

As from Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 August 2006, strong winds hit many parts of Swaziland causing extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructures. The winds, moving at an average speed of 120km/h, blew away roofing and caused complete destruction in some areas. Schools, government hospitals and clinics - including Sigombeni Red Cross Clinic - were also affected. Telecommunication lines, power lines and roads were also destroyed, resulting in communication failures, power cuts and inaccessibility.

Several people were injured and one person was killed. Unconfirmed reports indicated that approximately 100 houses were destroyed while 6 people were trapped. Four members of a local church were reportedly injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were treated and discharged. Over 2,000 others who were attending a church service escaped death by a whisker when their church building collapsed just few minutes after they had finished their Tuesday night service. Affected families are reported to be flocking the Red Cross offices seeking assistance.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

The Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society (BSRCS) has mobilized and sent rapid assessment teams, comprised of staff and 40 volunteers, to ascertain the extent of the damage. The areas targeted are:

- Mbabane Division (Southern Hhohho): Nkwalini Zone 1 to 6, Msunduza, Fonteyn, Sidwashini, Dlangeni, Ezulwini, Lobamba and Mvutshini;

- Manzini Division (Manzini): Ludzeludze, Zakhele, Madonsa, Moneni, Moyeni, Maliyaduma, Mbekelweni, and Sigombeni;

- Nhlangano Division (Shiselweni): Mahamba, Mbotjeni, Jerusalem, Khiza, Gege, Lavumisa, Mbukwane, and Jojo;

- Pigg's Peak (Northern Hhohho): Luhlangotsini, Malandalahle, Mangwaneni, Police camp around Mhlatane high school residence, Mkhomazane/Bulembu, Nsangwini, Ncesi, Nsangweni, Lusekwaneni, Nkomazi, Nginamadolo and Emacembeni;

- Siteki Division (Lubombo): Only 20 households were reported to have been affected in Nsubane, Ezindwendweni, Luhlekweni, Lavumisa and Siphofaneni

In addition, a building surveyor has been commissioned to assess the damage caused by the winds at the Sigombeni Red Cross Clinic staff houses and a report is expected soon. The following are results of initial assessments conducted by Red Cross emergency response teams in the most vulnerable communities. Comprehensive reports will be shared as soon as the assessment is completed.

Table 1: Summary details on the initial assessment

Region
Households
assessed
No. of
beneficiaries
Children
under five years
Tarpaulins
required
Tents
required
Assistance
rendered (Tarpaulins)
Mbabane
802
4,800
982
783
17
18
Manzini
352
2,469
463
342
11
17
Nhlangano
88
528
153
76
12
15
Piggs Peak
65
300
73
15
12
12
Siteki
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Total
1,307
8,097
1,671
1,216
52
62

Government intervention

Swaziland's Ministry of Public Works and Transport has conducted a rapid assessment in all government structures and has already started repairs on some of those destroyed such as clinics, hospitals and civil servants' accommodation.

The needs

Many households are requesting assistance from the BSRCS offices in Mbabane. From the assessment conducted so far, the needs of the people outweigh the resources of the BSRCS; about 40 households have asked for assistance from the Red Cross, while the national society has only 5 tents and 20 tarpaulins to give out. As soon as the extent of damage is fully ascertained, tents, tarpaulins, transport, volunteer allowances and immediate rehabilitation of the Red Cross radio communication system will be sought.

Budget outline

See annex below

Annex 1: Budget summary

Items
Total (CHF)
Personnel (volunteers)
5,400
Personnel (staff)
360
Stationery
527
Tents
18,495
Tarpaulins
31,000
Warehouse rental
900
Communication
1,080
Transport
3,663
Transport/shipping costs
8,000
Sub-total without PSR
69,425
PSR (6.5%)
4826
Grand total
74,251

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Swaziland: Sibongile Hlope, Secretary General, Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society, Mbabane; Email: sibongile@redcross.org.sz; Phone: +268.404.25.32; Fax: +268.404.61.08

In Zimbabwe: Françoise Le Goff, Head of Southern Africa Regional Delegation, Harare; Email: francoise.legoff@ifrc.org; Phone: +263.4.70.61.55, +263.4.72.03.15; Fax: +263.4.70.87.84

In Geneva: John Roche, Federation Regional Officer for Southern Africa, Africa Dept., Geneva; Email: john.roche@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.44.40, Fax: +41.22.733.03.95

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org