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03-04-2019 | Latest News , Africa

Mozambique: Aid reaches community cut off since cyclone

ENG

Beira/Geneva, 3 April 2019 – More than 2,300 people isolated since Cycone Idai struck Mozambique received a major delivery of Red Cross emergency supplies late yesterday.

The community of Buzi, which lies to the south of the city of Beira, had been almost entirely cut off from large-scale assistance as a result of the flooding and damage caused by the unprecedented storm more than two weeks ago.

The distribution was the first of many that will target 20,000 people in Buzi.

Jamie LeSueur, team lead for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said:

“The distribution efforts that began yesterday in Buzi are a significant milestone in this disaster response due to the inaccessibility of communities. All relief supplies brought in for this distribution were delivered by boat and air, as all road access has been completely impossible.”

The Red Cross delivery included basic but essential relief items such as shelter kits, jerry cans, kitchen sets, tarpaulins, buckets and tools. Supplies that will help stave off the growing threat of disease that many communities are facing, including clean water and mosquito nets, were also provided.

The Mozambique Red Cross has been on the ground even before Cyclone Idai hit nearly two weeks ago and continues to support more than 200,000 people across the disaster zone. Cyclone Idai is the worst humanitarian crisis in Mozambique’s recent history.

“We know there are many hard-hit areas like Buzi where people desperately need help. We are doing all we can to reach these people as quickly as possible,” said LeSueur. “The families that we met yesterday have been through so much. But there was real joy today, and it was amazing to see the resilience of these people as they begin down a path to rebuild their lives.”

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:

In Beira: Jana Sweeny, WhatsApp +216 288 94 109, factcomms.mozambique@ifrc.org 

In Nairobi: Euloge Ishimwe, +254 731 688 613, euloge.ishimwe@ifrc.org 

In Geneva: Matthew Cochrane, +41 79 251 80 39, matthew.cochrane@ifrc.org 

About IFRC:

IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world.

 


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