Government declares red alert for centre and south of Mozambique

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Government declares red alert for centre and south of Mozambique

10:58 CAT | 13 Apr 2016

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The Council of Ministers yesterday declared a 90-day red drought alert for the centre and south of the country, bringing relief to the more than 1.4 million people suffering from hunger because of drought in the seven provinces affected.

The decision will intensify assistance and expand interventions by the government and its partners. Government spokesman and deputy minister Mouzinho Saide said that the announcement would unlock 500 million meticais of funds provided under the government’s 2015/2016 food insecurity contingency plan.

“The alert also aims to mobilize additional resources from partners for strengthening contingency plan funds, as well as effectively coordinating the actions of the various humanitarian assistance agencies,” he said.

In the same session, the Council of Ministers reviewed the impact of extremely high equinoctial tides that that have affected the central and northern parts of the country. Equinoctial tides are a normal natural phenomenon at this time of year resulting from both the sun and the moon exerting a common gravitational pull.

The most visible consequence this year was the in the city of Beira, Sofala province, where 70 families were forced to leave their flooded homes.

“Similar impacts have occurred in Mozambique Island, Nampula province, as well as in Mecúfi district, Pemba city, and the village of Mocimboa da Praia in Cabo Delgado province,” Saíde added.

Source: O País / AIM