Mozambique: Storm affects more than 45,000 people, half of them women, children

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Mozambique: Storm affects more than 45,000 people, half of them women, children

11:29 CAT | 28 Jan 2022

Photo: Lusa

“Unicef estimates that it will need US$3.5 million to respond to the immediate needs of the affected populations,” and “is using its pre-positioned supplies and mobilising internal funds,” it concluded.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) estimates that “over 45,000 people, including 23,000 women and children, are in need of humanitarian assistance” in Mozambique following the passage of storm Ana since Monday.

The locals live in the most populated provinces of the country, i.e. Nampula and Zambezia, and also in Tete, Niassa, Sofala and Manica, all in the north and centre.

According to data from local authorities and the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD), at least 20 people have been killed in the storm, although reports from the population in the affected areas point to an even higher number of victims, yet to be recorded.

Citing data from INGD, the UN agency said in a statement on Friday that the storm “damaged nearly 10,500 houses, as well as bridges, power lines, schools, water systems and health facilities”.

In a preliminary assessment by Civil Protection, 12 health facilities and 346 classrooms (137 schools) were affected, “leaving 27,383 students without a place to learn ahead of the new school year, which is scheduled to begin on Monday,” Unicef warned.

The government has announced that it will build temporary metal bridges to allow traffic along two important roads, over the Revuboe River in Tete province, and over the Licungo River in Zambézia, to resume.

Meanwhile, although storm Ana has passed, Civil Protection warns: the risk of flooding persists in Sofala province because the rains continue to feed watersheds that have been above alert levels in recent days.

“Unicef estimates that it will need US$3.5 million to respond to the immediate needs of the affected populations,” and “is using its pre-positioned supplies and mobilising internal funds,” it concluded.

Mozambique is facing the seasonal cyclonic season and Tropical Storm Ana was the first one to hit the country.

Source: Lusa