Mozambique calls on the international community to step up on humanitarian aid

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Mozambique calls on the international community to step up on humanitarian aid

2:42 CAT | 28 Mar 2019

Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs José Pacheco has called on the international community to intensify humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Idai, and France, Brazil and the United States have announced more support.

“The Mozambican government reiterates the importance of continuing to intensify humanitarian aid, without obviously neglecting other measures to support the restoration of services and economic and social activities,” José Pacheco said on Wednesday at a meeting with representatives of the accredited diplomatic corps in Mozambique.

According to the government’s latest figures, Cyclone Idai’s passage through Mozambique left a trail of destruction in the central part of Mozambique, causing at least 468 deaths and leaving more than 1,500 injuries while displacing more than 135,000 souls.

Without the help of the international community, people affected by the cyclone would have suffered longer and more keenly, and the saving of human lives would have been compromised and of limited impact, Pacheco said.

More coordination

Minister Pacheco also urged an improvement in coordination between government agencies and international partners in the provision of humanitarian assistance to ensure that support reaches victims quickly.

Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps accredited to Mozambique, Ambassador of Palestine Fayez Jawad, who acts as deputy head of foreign ambassadors in Maputo, expressed the international community’s commitment to supporting the victims of Cyclone Idai, highlighting the moral and humanitarian duty of the world in the face of emergency situations brought about by natural disasters.

“We assure Mozambique of our solidarity and support in helping alleviate the suffering of the families of victims and our commitment to providing all possible help to those affected so that they can face the effects of this catastrophe, as our moral and humanitarian duty,” Ambassador Jawad said.

More humanitarian aid on the way

On Wednesday, acting in coordination with non-governmental organisations and partner companies, France sent a second plane to Mozambique with 65 tons of humanitarian aid on board. The United States of America has also promised to send more military and commercial aircraft with support.

Brazil has announced that it will send two Hercules C-130 transport planes from the Brazilian Air Force with humanitarian aid this Friday, as well as a fire brigade team to contribute to the restoration work being undertaken. “We have mobilised 100,000 Euros for Mozambique,” Brazil’s Ambassador Ernesto Araújo noted.

Source: Source: DW