Extra £12 million in UK aid for Cyclone Idai

UK Aid is sending £12 million to the survivors of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, in addition to the £6 million announced on Monday

The UN said at least 1.7 million people were in the direct path of the cyclone in Mozambique and 920,000 have been affected in Malawi.

The UN also tweeted this video of the situation on the ground:

Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, #CycloneIdai has created “inland oceans running for mile after mile, with water above tree-level” says @WFP on the ground @UNOCHA @WHO. Emergency “bigger by the hour”. pic.twitter.com/H82jgydWgE

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 19, 2019

Oxfam are also on the ground, especially in Malawi:

This footage of the devastating floods was recorded by an Oxfam humanitarian aid worker in #Malawi. You can help us save lives now at https://t.co/TTVPwWEbhk #CycloneIdai pic.twitter.com/9YoSqlUUvB

— Oxfam International (@Oxfam) March 21, 2019

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt announced the new funding – taking the UK’s additional support for victims of the cyclone to £18 million.

Over 7,500 emergency shelter kits and 100 family tents, all funded by UK aid, arrived in Mozambique for onward distribution to families who have had to flee their homes.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:

“I’ve been extremely moved by the images I’ve seen of this devastating cyclone which has caused misery for millions of people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This is, undoubtedly, one of the biggest natural disasters to ever hit the region, and our thoughts remain firmly with the victims of this cyclone.

“Today’s UK aid package is a sign of the UK’s commitment to do all we can to make sure those in desperate need of humanitarian relief have access to life-saving essentials, including food, water and shelter.

“The UK was one of the first countries to respond to this disaster. We are keeping the situation under close review.”

UK aid will be used to help meet immediate needs on the ground across the countries affected, including:

• Making sure families have access to clean water to drink and wash, which will also help to stop the spread of deadly diseases;
• Providing food and food vouchers to those affected;
• Ensuring that those that have been left homeless are able to access safe shelter.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said:

“The displacement of large numbers of people and the flooding triggered by Cyclone Idai significantly increases the risk of malaria, typhoid and cholera.

“WHO stands with the affected people and is organizing assistance to address their urgent health needs.”

Speaking from Maputo, Head of DFID Mozambique Cate Turton said:

“This is one of the biggest humanitarian disasters that this region has ever faced, and we’re doing all that we can to get aid to those desperately in need.

“Our absolute priority at the moment is to get food, water and other critical supplies to affected communities, many of which are cut off because of damage to roads and infrastructure.”