Overview:
Southern Africa has in the past two years experienced the worst flood/cyclone seasons in recent history. The number of cyclones in the Indian Ocean Basin for the past two seasons has exceeded the ten-year average.
In 2008, floods and cyclones battered seven countries in the region affecting nearly 900,000 people in Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. International assistance amounting to more than US$89 million was requested. A Southern Africa Regional Preparedness and Response Plan appeal was launched, which for the first time included disaster risk reduction and preparedness components.