Maputo, 26 Jan (AIM) – The Norwegian government has announced that it will donate two million dollars to support flood victims in Mozambique.
According to the Norwegian embassy, this money will be channelled via the International Organisation for Migration (OIM), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The Norwegian Development Minister, Asmund Aukrust, cited by the Portuguese news agency Lusa, noted that Mozambique is one of the countries worst hit by climate change, although it has made almost no contribution to the climate crisis.
Data from Mozambique’s relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGD), indicate that since 7 January the floods have affected 651,843 people, and have caused 12 deaths.
95,780 people have taken shelter in government-run accommodation centres including 19,516 people rescued from the most critical flood-stricken areas.
The floods have destroyed 767 houses and damaged 3,396. 71,600 houses are flooded.
The floods have swamped 232,000 hectares of farmland, damaging the livelihoods of 174,000 farmers, and have caused the deaths of more than 74,000 head of cattle.
Despite the rescue efforts, using boats, helicopters and light aircraft, thousands of people are still stranded on patches of high ground, or are clinging onto trees or rooftops.
In Maputo and Gaza, the worst hit provinces, many roads are impassable and bridges are under water or have been swept away.
(AIM)
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