Clinton seeks $200 million for Africa floods
This is certainly a first:


WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - President Bill Clinton asked Congress on Friday for more than $200 million in emergency funding to help Mozambique and other countries in Southern Africa recover from a series of cyclones.

The White House said in a statement the money would help Mozambique, Madagascar, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to recover from Cyclones Gloria, Eline and Hudah and the flooding that they caused in recent months.

The flooding badly damaged transportation links, water and sanitation systems, schools, health clinics and farms across the region, with Mozambique the hardest hit.

The largest sum -- $131 million -- would help Mozambique to repair road and rail lines, to restore health and education services and to rehabilitate its agricultural sector.

The White House also asked Congress to restore authority for the Pentagon to use $37.5 million from existing accounts to provide for humanitarian relief operations in the region.

Other aid requested included $17 million for Madagascar to repair transportation lines as well as improve water quality and telecommunications capacity, and $16 million for flood control and disaster preparedness across the region.

South Africa would get $15 million to improve schools and health facilities, while Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana would share $4 million for housing, water treatment systems and disaster preparedness.

The White House also wants $7 million for the U.S. Agency for International Development's reconstruction efforts.

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