Following the assessment made last week by the Special Task Team of the South African National Defence Force, the South African Government today decided to assist in the location/relocation of people trapped by the flooding of the Govuro river in the Inhambane district of Mozambique.
The relocation of displaced people and food distribution to the affected areas will enjoy priority. The concept of the operation will be to recce a specific area with a Cesna 208. If distressed people are seen a message will be sent to them via a "skyshout" that helicopters will sent to rescue them. This will be followed by specific taskings for the helicopters to uplift/casevac/resupply people in distress.
The force levels will include two Oryx helicopters, three light fixed-wing aircraft and two C130 Hercules, which will depart from Pretoria tomorrow morning. A mobile air operations team will also be dispatched to coordinate the operation from Vilanculos airfield. South African assistance will also be provided to a joint operations centre which will coordinate the rescue effort.
Enquiries: Lt Col Laverne Machene: 012-6622277 or 3556384.
ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE
PRETORIA
9 MARCH 1999