Mozambique: Death Toll Stands At 270, Says PM
Mozambique's Prime Minister Benvinda Levi reported that storms and floods earlier this year resulted in 270 deaths and extensive damage across several provinces.
Mozambique's Prime Minister Benvinda Levi announced that the severe storms and floods that occurred earlier this year have led to a tragic death toll of 270 people. During her address to the Assembly of the Republic, she detailed the extensive destruction inflicted upon the southern and central provinces of the country, where 21,000 homes have been either destroyed or damaged. The flooding also significantly affected health infrastructure, with 302 health units compromised, alongside the damage of 717 schools and 53 water supply systems.
In total, the storms obliterated around 8,100 kilometers of roads and devastated over 440,000 hectares of farmland, which exacerbated the humanitarian crisis faced by affected communities. To coordinate an immediate response to such disasters, the government issued a Red Alert in January, which enabled the establishment of National Emergency Operational Centres and the activation of local Disaster Risk Management Committees. Levi emphasized the need for such measures in light of increasing extreme climatic events that threaten the stability of the nation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the actions taken by the government for rescue and humanitarian assistance in the wake of this natural disaster, reinforcing the commitment to supporting those affected and rebuilding the communities. The devastation caused by the floods not only poses immediate health risks and displacement for thousands but also calls for long-term strategies to enhance resilience against future climatic challenges, making this a critical issue for national recovery.