A South African delegation, headed by the Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Fholisani Mufamadi, visited Maputo on Friday, and held discussions with Mozambican Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, who briefed them on the floods, and on Cyclone Favio, which hit Inhambane and Sofala provinces on Thursday.
Diogo told reporters that South Africa has helped Mozambique face previous natural disasters "and so we are not surprised that the South Africans have come here to talk to us. We are confident that the solidarity from this country will continue".
"We told them that the rescue operations went well, but now we need to accommodate the victims", she said. "Now we need to deal with food, latrines, tents, water supply and other factors that are important at this stage".
According to the government's relief agency, the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) about 140,000 people have been moved from areas of risk in the Zambezi basin. The rescue operations are over, but it is a major logistical headache to ensure that the flood victims receive decent shelter, enough to eat, and are protected from outbreaks of disease.
SOURCE: AIM
