VOA标准英语2008年-UN Says Southern Africa Floods Could Worsen

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
13 January 2008

The United Nations says some of the worst floods in a decade in Southern Africa could worsen as more rain is forecast for the region. Tens of thousands of people in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique have been affected¹ by the flooding. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

The United Nations estimates more than 80,000 people in four countries have been affected by the floods, which began in early December.

Mozambique is bearing the brunt of the disaster, with more than 70,000 people seriously affected. Rescue efforts are underway.

UN Humanitarian² spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs tells VOA at least 30,000 people have already been moved and resettled in centers. She says many of the victims had refused to leave the dangerous areas and the authorities have been forced to remove them against their will.

"But, this situation is of concern because roughly 1,000 and 600 households have been moved to higher ground due to the flooding at the confluence³ between the Zambezi and the river Shire," said Byrs. "Over 31,000 hectares of land are lost right now, arable⁴ lands are lost in flooding, which is a very important loss for the economy and for the livelihood⁵ of that population."

The relentless⁶ rains also are causing severe flooding in many areas of northeastern Zimbabwe, leading to severe destruction and affecting at least eight thousand people.

Aid agencies report many crops have been washed away and food stocks destroyed. They say people who already were vulnerable before the floods are now totally dependent on households in communities who managed to salvage⁷ their own stocks.

The United Nations says it is stepping up its humanitarian operations. It says it will deploy⁸ more experts in emergency management to the region in the coming days to help the governments cope with the disaster.

Over the past week, the International Organization for Migration⁹ has provided non-food emergency assistance to more than 800 households in Zimbabwe. Spokesman, Jean-Philippe Chauzy, says the risk of malaria¹⁰ and water-borne diseases is growing.

"We have noticed with our partners an increase in various diarrheal diseases which obviously need to be addressed mostly because water is being contaminated. Because of the floods, drinking water is being contaminated," said Chauzy. "So, obviously, water and sanitation¹¹ is a priority for the emergency response. Yes, households have been affected. Some households have been washed away by the rain. There, again, we are with our partners providing non-food items. There are tarpaulins¹² that will allow people to have at least one dry area in the house."

The distress¹³ caused by the flooding is expected to continue for some time. Heavy rains are predicted for Madagascar from January to March. The Madagascan government says up to 600,000 people could be affected by flooding.

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 confluence   

n.汇合，聚集

参考例句：

• They built the city at the confluence of two rivers.他们建造了城市的汇合两条河流。
• The whole DV movements actually was a confluence of several trends.整个当时的DV运动，实际上是几股潮流的同谋。

4 arable   

adj.可耕的，适合种植的

参考例句：

• The terrain changed quickly from arable land to desert.那个地带很快就从耕地变成了沙漠。
• Do you know how much arable land has been desolated?你知道什么每年有多少土地荒漠化吗？

5 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

6 relentless   

adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的

参考例句：

• The traffic noise is relentless.交通车辆的噪音一刻也不停止。
• Their training has to be relentless.他们的训练必须是无情的。

7 salvage   

v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救

参考例句：

• All attempts to salvage the wrecked ship failed.抢救失事船只的一切努力都失败了。
• The salvage was piled upon the pier.抢救出的财产被堆放在码头上。

8 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

9 migration   

n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙

参考例句：

• Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
• He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。

10 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

11 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

12 tarpaulins   

n.防水帆布，防水帆布罩( tarpaulin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Main wood to aluminum and plexiglass, PC, tarpaulins, toughened glass. 主材以铝型材与进口有机玻璃、PC、防水布、钢化玻璃。 来自互联网
• That means providing tents or other materials, including plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and wood. 这意味着需要帐篷和其他物资，包括塑料布、放水油布和木材。 来自互联网

13 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。