Aid for Cyclone Idai quadrupled

Aid agencies have increased aid for Cyclone Idai. Some Aid agencies have “quadrupled ” their initial estimates of what is needed to help the millions affected by the cyclone.

Cyclone Idai which had 170kmph winds devastated Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The aid from International agencies has started trickling into the devastated countries and is expected to ease the humanitarian crisis created by floodwaters triggered by Cyclone Idai.

Relief efforts that were initially stifled by airport closures slowly gained steam Wednesday and foreign governments began pledging aid to help the region recover from the worst flooding in decades.

The United Kingdom which had initially pledged £6m to help announced that they will provide an extra £12m of support for survivors of the deadly Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt announced the new funding on Wednesday– taking the UK’s additional support for victims of the cyclone to £18 million.

UK aid will be used to help meet immediate needs on the ground across the countries affected, including:
• making sure families have access to clean water to drink and wash, which will also help to stop the spread of deadly diseases
• providing food and food vouchers to those affected
• ensuring that those that have been left homeless are able to access safe shelter.

Speaking from Maputo, Head of DFID Mozambique Cate Turton said:
“This is one of the biggest humanitarian disasters that this region has ever faced, and we’re doing all that we can to get aid to those desperately in need.

Our absolutely priority at the moment is to get food, water and other critical supplies to affected communities, many of which are cut off because of damage to roads and infrastructure.”

The United Nations allocated 20 million U.S. dollars for a humanitarian response to the crisis. The European Union released 3.5 million euros (3.9 million U.S. dollars) in emergency aid, while the U.K. pledged up to six million pounds (7.9 million U.S. dollars). Neighboring Tanzania’s military airlifted 238 tons of food and medicine.

The United Arab Emirates plans to provide 18.3 million dirhams (4.9 million U.S. dollars) to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the Emirates News Agency reported Wednesday, citing the Emirates Red Crescent. Norway said it was providing six million krone (700,000 U.S. dollars).
The U.S. Agency for International Development said Wednesday it deployed disaster experts to Mozambique and provided 400,000 U.S. dollars in emergency funding. The African Union Commission will give 350,000 U.S. dollars, according to its chairman.