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WorldViewU.S. Promises Aid to Flood-Ravaged MozambiqueAired March 2, 2000 - 6:16 p.m. ETTHIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. announced Thursday it will send helicopters, medical personnel and other troops to Southeast Africa, as flood waters crest in Mozambique and another cyclone threatens to dump more rain in the area. CNN's Catherine Bond as more. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) CATHERINE BOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is a scene that may greet U.S. troops due to be sent to Mozambique after the country's biggest natural disaster in living memory. JOAQUIM CHISSANO, PRESIDENT, MOZAMBIQUE: The international community could not probably expect that our needs would be so big. So when they heard that, well, we had got four helicopters from South Africa and plus two helicopters which we had here, it could be enough. And a few boats, it could be enough. Even ourselves, at the beginning we tried to mobilize all the resources which we had in order to try and minimize. BOND: Mr. Chissano said President Clinton consulted him before making public an offer of about 900 troops, including U.S. Green Berets and Navy Seals. But until they arrive, relief efforts based at Mozambique's international airport will remain relatively small. Rescued by chance, this group of women and children said where they'd come from there was little help. "There was no food," says Florencia (ph). "People's houses were covered with water. Some children fell out of the trees into the flood water. Others were up to their necks." And it's not only countryside that's flooded but parts of large towns like Shi-Shi (ph), the bridge showing how wide the river was here before heavy rain in neighboring Zimbabwe and South Africa swelled the Limpopo River, turning mainlands into islands. (on camera): People here in the mouth of the Limpopo River say they haven't received any emergency assistance, food, medicines or anything else since the flooding cut them off. (voice-over): Villagers marooned here said many were hungry, some ill. "We need food and clothes and medicine," says this man. Villagers here said the flood water had dropped, though prized possessions like this freezer and sofa set have been moved to higher ground. A wise precaution, as South African rescuers say water levels have risen again. Catherine Bond, CNN, the Limpopo River, Mozambique. (END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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