    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 28, 2000]
    [Page 329]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Floods in Southern Africa
    February 28, 2000

        I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by flooding in
    southern Africa, which has worsened over the past few days. Almost a
    million people in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have
    lost their homes or their livelihoods, and tens of thousands of people
    in Mozambique are stranded in flooded areas and require urgent rescue.
        Today we are allocating $1 million, through the U.S. Agency for
    International Development, to support aircraft for critical search and
    rescue operations and the delivery of relief supplies. In addition, we
    have already provided over $1.8 million to fund air transport, prevent
    disease, deliver supplies, and support relief efforts. Two aircraft from
    the Department of Defense are on the way to deliver shelter materials,
    blankets, and other relief supplies. Also, we are dispatching a disaster
    assistance response team to the region to determine other ways that we
    can help our friends in southern Africa.
        The thoughts and prayers of the American people are with the people
    of the region as they cope with this disaster.