UK donation for victims of Cyclone Freddy

Maputo, 17 Mar (AIM) – The United Kingdom on Thursday donated various materials costed at £700,000 (US$850,000) to support Mozambicans affected by Cyclone Freddy, especially in the central province of Zambezia.

The donation consists of 4,120 tents and their accessories, and 5,040 solar lamps. It was received by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This is the second donation received from the British government to respond to the damage caused by the cyclone.

In addition to the IOM, the material will also be delivered to the Mozambican relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGD), for further distribution according to the needs of each region.

At the Thursday ceremony, the British High Commissioner in Maputo, Helen Lewis, called for awareness in order to help vulnerable people.

“Right now, the most important thing is to help the most vulnerable people and it is also a time to assess the needs in terms of destroyed roads and infrastructure. We will continue to talk to the government about these needs”, the diplomat said.

For her part, the head of the IOM mission, Laura Bonde, said the IOM “is on the ground providing support and responding to the needs. We are working with the government and partners to provide support to those in need”, she said.

So far, the IOM has contributed about US$2.5 million to the programs for resettlement of people affected by natural disasters, equipment coordination and psychosocial support.
(AIM)