Heavy rain has resulted in severe flooding in the Zambezi basin in Mozambique and has forced approximately 163,000 people to leave their homes. Ten days after the floods Tropical Cyclone Favio hit the coast of Mozambique with windspeeds of 100-130 mph. The Government of Mozambique estimates that an additional 134,000 people have been affected by the cyclone. The cyclone has not made the flooding in the Zambezi basin worse as the rain fell in a different river catchment.
We are impressed by the way the Government of Mozambique is handling the situation, and we are working to support their efforts in preventing outbreaks of disease and ensuring that people can access adequate shelter, food and healthcare.
DFID is increasing its funding following the impact of cyclone Favio, which has caused extensive damage in and around Vilanculos on the Mozambican coast. We have agreed to give £130,000 to CARE for immediate shelter and household needs, for example, tarpaulins and cook pots. We are considering making further donations as we complete our assessment of needs.
Our total contribution to the relief effort in response to both the floods and cyclone in Mozambique now stands at £1.09 million. This is made up of donations to Save the Children, Oxfam, the Red Cross, CARE and the provision of a logistics expert to the Government of Mozambique's National Institute (INGC) for Disaster Management. The logistics expert will help INGC co-ordinate the delivery of relief items through airlifts, road and river transport.
We are currently the biggest bilateral donor. The EC is contributing €4 million, of which the UK's contribution amounts to about €680,000.