Gregory Meeks: “Mr. Speaker, for the past 3 weeks, the world has watched with great anguish as the people of the Republic of Mozambique…”

“Mr. Speaker, for the past 3 weeks, the world has watched with great anguish as the people of the Republic of Mozambique clung to whatever they could to escape raging flood waters. The storms that ravaged Mozambique are the worst the southern African region has seen in more than 100 years. The nations of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have also experienced national emergencies from the rainy flooding season. However, Mozambique bore the brunt of the storms and is still threatened by flood waters from neighboring countries who are forced to open their dams to ease the pressure of these structures. In the southern third of Mozambique, virtually all the primary roads, bridges, electric grid facilities, and clean water wells have been destroyed. Many buildings and homes that were built along the fertile flood planes of the Save and Limpopo Rivers will need to be relocated or rebuilt. Mr. Speaker, it is ironic that a nation that has experienced much success over the past 8 years to reform its Government and economy has suffered the economic disaster caused by the floods.”