Mozambique: UNHCR diverts refugee supplies

UNHCR will airlift 50 MT of blankets and plastic sheeting for emergency shelters to flood victims in Mozambique. The flights of relief aid to Maputo are to begin early next week from stocks for refugee operations in Entebbe, Uganda. Heavy rains in the south of Mozambique continue to hamper relief efforts and are increasing the need for temporary shelter material, along with food and medicine. After the successful repatriation of 1.7 million Mozambican refugees in the early 90s, UNHCR closed down its operation in the country and has maintained only a small office in Maputo.