Nations move to aid cyclone victims
The international community has moved to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Idai that hit Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe on March 15, killing more than 550 and leaving thousands of others homeless.
The United Nations said Cyclone Idai has killed 242 people in Mozambique and 56 people in Malawi, according to government reports. Another 259 deaths have been cited in Zimbabwe by the country’s defense minister.
China, the European Union, the African Union, and the United Kingdom, among others, have offered help for the victims.
The China International Development Cooperation Agency said on Thursday that China will provide humanitarian assistance to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Without unveiling the details of the assistance, CIDCA spokesman Tian Lin said China expresses condolences to the affected people and is ready to offer a hand for the reconstruction work in the cyclone-stricken countries according to the needs of the affected areas.
On Wednesday, the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe and the local Chinese community donated food, purified water and equipment worth $200,000.
Chinese Ambassador Guo Shaochun expressed deep condolences and sympathy over the lost lives and to the bereaved families. “As a true brother, friend and partner to Zimbabwe, China feels what the Zimbabwean people are feeling and will always stand with you,” Guo said.
In addition to the humanitarian aid, Guo said China was willing to share experiences with Zimbabwe, noting that the Asian country is prone to natural disasters and hence possessed massive experience in disaster preparedness and relief.
In Malawi’s capital Lilongwe, the Chinese embassy on Wednesday donated $50,000 to help the southern African country.
Wang Xiusheng, Chinese charge d’affairs in Malawi, said China will also donate 2,000 bags of rice, adding that Chinese businessmen in the country will contribute $41,000 to the victims.
On Monday, the UK announced that it will provide up to $7.9 million of humanitarian relief to Mozambique and Malawi. This will be followed by an extra $15.8 million of support, including food, water and shelter to the survivors.
The EU on Tuesday released $4 million in emergency aid to the three countries.
Christos Stylianides, the EU’s commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in a statement that the funds will be used to provide logistical support to reach affected people, emergency shelter, hygiene, sanitation and healthcare.
“In addition, we are sending our technical experts on the ground and our Copernicus satellite system has been activated to identify needs and help our humanitarian partners and the local authorities in their response,” Stylianides said.
On Tuesday, Tom Babington, acting spokesman of the United States Agency for International Development, announced that the agency had mobilized $700,000 in total assistance to the three countries.
“Of this, $200,000 was for relief efforts in Mozambique in response to the damage caused by Cyclone Idai, and $500,000 was provided in response to the flooding in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi earlier this month,” Babington said.
The Tanzanian government on Tuesday donated a consignment of drugs and medical sundries to assist the victims.
The relief included 200 tons of maize to be delivered to Malawi, and 24 tons of medicine, with each of the three countries receiving eight tons.
On Wednesday, Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, announced immediate support of $350,000 to the three countries, with Mozambique, the hardest hit of the three, to receive $150,000 from emergency AU funds.
The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund allocated $20 million on Wednesday to ensure aid reaches those most affected.
The cyclone made landfall on Thursday night near Beira in central Mozambique, bringing heavy rain and flooding to the three countries. Mozambique was the most affected with 90 percent damage of Beira.