The world has been gripped in recent weeks by the suffering of the people of Mozambique, following the massive floods that have devastated entire regions of the country. The immediate needs for international assistance are gigantic in proportion, but the consequences of such a natural disaster will require long-term assistance involving partnerships between the voluntary sector, governments and the private sector.

Some 2 million people have been affected by the floods, with about 500 000 having lost their homes, and about 1 million in need of assistance, particularly for food and water. Nestlé South Africa has agreed to immediately supply approximately 60 tons of basic food, to assist in meeting the immediate needs of the people in affected areas. Infant formula will not be included in this consignment of aid, because of the great concern about the quality of the water available. Support for infants would thus be left to the Mozambique authorities and international agencies such as UNICEF.

To ensure that this food gets to the people who need it most, Nestlé is working closely with the Mozambique authorities and the South African Ambassador to Mozambique, and we are channelling aid through the National Institute for Management of Calamities. This organisation is well positioned as a Mozambique institution with the appropriate infrastructure and connections to get the food into the worst affected areas. Actual delivery of much of the international food aid has been hampered with distribution problems, resulting in some cases in food riots as desperate people fight for survival.

As water safety is such a major problem in Mozambique, Nestlé South Africa intends to follow up our food donation with clean water projects similar to those pursued in South Africa in partnership with NGOs such as EcoLink and LEAP. We have already started investigating a long-term water safety program with the Eduardo Mondlane Foundation in Mozambique, and will shortly be having the same discussions with the Graca Machel's Foundation for the Development of the Community, Mozambique.

The value of such projects was seen during the recent disaster, which also affected parts of South Africa. In Mpumalanga Province in South Africa, much of the infrastructure was washed away, including the water supply to many villages. In one area with approximately 8000 villagers, the only potable water available was from the 20 tanks built as part of water harvesting projects initiated by LEAP, an NGO sponsored by Nestlé South Africa.

Committed to the long-term economic and social development of the country, Nestlé has recently strengthened its operation in Mozambique and will continue to work closely with the Government and NGOs.

Nestlé is working closely with the Mozambique authorities and the South African Ambassador to Mozambique, and we are channelling aid through the National Institute for Management of Calamities.