Westport, Conn. (January 11, 2008) — Save the Children is working to meet the immediate needs of thousands of children and families forced from their homes in Mozambique's flood zone, where torrential rains are pushing the country's major rivers out of their banks and threatening the lives and livelihoods of thousands of families.

More than 45,000 people have been displaced by floodwaters along the Zambezi River valley, according to the government. Authorities report that if forecasts for continued rain hold true, up to 200,000 people could be affected. Mozambique's major rivers — the Zambezi, Pungue, Buzi and Save rivers — had all risen above critical levels last week.

Save the Children has programs in three of the four provinces expected to see the worst of the Zambezi flooding. The agency plans to assist affected families with lifesaving relief as well as ensure that education is not disrupted.

"A widespread natural disaster such as this can be especially hard on children," said Ned Olney, associate vice president of Save the Children's global emergencies unit. "We will work to meet the immediate needs of families while seeking to ensure that children's long-term prospects are not hampered by this latest crisis."

Save the Children has been working in Mozambique since 1988.

You can help Save the Children respond to emergencies like these and other future emergencies that put at great risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children. By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you enable us to respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our help when disasters strike. 

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