Tropical Cyclone Idai devastates Mozambique

On the evening of March 14th, Cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique, devastating the coastal province of Sofala with winds of up to 190km/h. Heavy rainfall across the country in the weeks prior to the cyclone – as well as in the days following it- led to catastrophic flooding across the nation. Thousands were left homeless and crops, livestock and infrastructure have been destroyed. The low-lying port city of Beira, before and after the cyclone hit © MdM Responding to the crisis Doctors of the World has been in Mozambique for over 19 years in the province of Maputo and in Cabo Delgado. When Cyclone Idai hit Southern Africa last week, our staff and volunteers were among the first to mobilise and respond to the unfolding situation. Fighting against blocked roads, electricity shortages and high water levels, our specialist teams established themselves in the areas worst hit. There, they have assessed the damage caused by Cyclone Idai and put in place an urgent intervention plan. Preparations of the first team before its departure to Mozambique © MdM Our emergency team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and psychologists are now situated in the port city of Beira, one of the worst hit areas of Mozambique, where an estimated 90% of the city was damaged or destroyed by the storm. The situation in Mozambique is still unfolding as the flood waters continue to recede. But the complexity of the response effort is clear: hospitals have been destroyed, and cholera outbreaks have al...
Source: Doctors of the World News - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Uncategorised Source Type: news