The United Nations has deployed emergency teams that provide food, medical supplies, and shelter to survivors.UNICEF is offering children and families drinking water, health supplies, and emergency shelter.
The United Nations has released $20m from its emergency fund, and on Friday its chief made a personal appeal for more international support.The Red Cross says it is sending emergency sanitation and water facilities to the hard-hit Mozambique port of Beira and is appealing for 10 million Swiss francs (dollars) to help 75,000 of the worst-affected people.
The storm, which has also affected neighbouring Malawi and Zimbabwe, has complicated the lives of Beira’s population – estimated at about 500,000 residents—as the coastal city has for years been susceptible to climate-related disasters such as violent storms and recurrent floods.
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So far, Mozambican authorities say that at least 200 people have died from the resultant damage after two large rivers, Buzi and Pungwe, bust their banks. But the actual toll will only become clearer after the waters subside in the three affected countries.The impact of Cyclone Idai clearly demonstrates the need to develop better awareness and emergency preparedness tools to strengthen the resilience of local communities to the devastating impact of disasters.The Red Cross said 90 per cent of Beira was damaged or destroyed. The cyclone knocked out electricity, shut down the airport and cut off access to the city by road.
