Mozambique Residents Desperate for Food and Shelter After Cyclone Idai Made Landfall

Thousands are desperate for food and shelter after Cyclone Idai made landfill with winds up to 124 mph. At least 200 people have been killed in the storm’s wake and 90% of the city of Beira was destroyed.

“Everything in the city was destroyed and that is the situation we are living now,” a Beira resident stated.

Survivors were transported by helicopter to temporary shelters but those who remained were left to salvage their belongings and rummage for food and water.

“The situation in Mozambique, we are confronted with severe flooding and cyclone effects,” WFP Director of Emergencies Margot Vandervelden stated. “600,000 people affected possibly even going up to 1.7 and more million people affected by cyclone and flooding. Communication completely broken, infrastructure severely damaged particularly in the city of Beira but also all the roads of Beira have been cut off.”

The UN World Food Programme deployed staff to distribute food and water to the community in the aftermath of the storm. Residents are assisting with packaging biscuits and bottled water. The UN says food rations should last three to four days.

UNICEF is also supplying fluids, antibiotics, cots, soap, and insect repellent.  

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