Cyclone Idai: Millions in southern Africa left devastated

By MiNDFOOD

A man looks at a washed away bridge along Umvumvu river following Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe March 18, 2019. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
A man looks at a washed away bridge along Umvumvu river following Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe March 18, 2019. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Cyclone Idai has caused “massive disaster” in southern Africa affecting millions of people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe as houses and roads are submerged.

The devastating cyclone that hit the eastern coastline of southern Africa may be the worst ever disaster to strike the southern hemisphere, according to the UN.

Five days have passed since the powerful storm landed a direct hit on Mozambique’s fourth-largest city, Beira, which was almost totally destroyed.

The UN chief has expressed his sadness at the loss of life and displacement across the affected region. The official death tolls in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi are 84, 98 and 56 respectively, according to the latest media reports. 

Mozambique’s president told state radio Monday that deaths in his country could surpass 1,000. President Filipe Nyusi has called it “a humanitarian disaster of great proportion”.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), preliminary projections indicate that at least 1.7 million people were affected in the direct-path of the cyclone in Mozambique, with a further 920,000 in Malawi.

“We need all the logistical support that we can get,” Christian Lindmeier from the UN’s World Health Organization said.

Cyclone Idai made landfall near the port city of Beira in Sofala province on Thursday with winds of up to 177km/h.

Heavy rains are expected to continue through the week. The United Nations estimated that more than 2.5 million people need immediate assistance. And with the crops and homes of thousands of families destroyed, a prolonged humanitarian crisis appeared inevitable. 

“The United Nations expresses its solidarity with the Zimbabwe authorities and stands ready to work with them as they respond to the humanitarian needs resulting from this disaster,” António Guterres, UN Secretary-General said in a statement.

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