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The city of Beira – Poor people becoming more resilient against floodsMozambique is facing increasing threats from weather events and climate change could aggravate the situation in the future. Coastal areas are especially affected, mainly by rising sea levels and stronger tropical cyclones. In coastal cities like Beira, densely populated suburbs with informal townships of poor families are especially exposed to natural hazards. |
Beira is the second largest city in Mozambique, with approximately 450,000 inhabitants. It has been facing increasing environmental stress and natural hazards over the last decades. Population explosion, mainly driven by the immigration from rural areas, is one driving factor. In fact, the population has almost doubled since 1980. These new neighbourhoods were mainly built in swamp areas close to or below sea level that had been covered with sand to create space for human settlements. The second factor which causes problems is related to climate change. It has led to a rise in sea levels, thus affecting the city’s groundwater level. In combination with heavier rainfalls – which can no longer be absorbed by the already saturated soil and storm water drainage systems. The number of floods has increased. At the same time, it is likely that more intense and more frequent cyclones will hit the coast. The vulnerable poor suffer the most A simple technical warning system Put to practice – Emergency training Based on the information provided by the local disaster risk committees to the provincial and city EOCs, operative intervention capacity such as the municipal police, the national police, the municipal and airport fire departments, the Mozambican Red Cross, as well as the City Health Department was deployed in the neighbourhoods. Framed in the same exercise, the neighbourhoods of Praia Nova and Macurungo were visited by a delegation that included the Governor of the Sofala Province, the Vice-Minister for State Administration, the City Mayor, the General Director of INGC and GIZ’ National Director. The purpose of this visit was to evaluate and observe the simulation event, as well as to encourage and thank the local disaster risk committees and the local population for participating in emergency preparedness events. The participation level was very high. On the whole, more than 500 people took part in the drill. Evacuation routines were practised and the functionality of the emergency kits was tested for the real case. Because of the detailed and intensive drills, people were able to easily commit the processes they had learned to memory. Many had a role and the participants were very involved during the training. In a real emergency situation, they will recall the routines automatically. This will help to save lives and to allow objects of value to be brought into safety. |