Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

International aid helps Mozambique fight cholera in Beira

Image
AP Beira
Last Updated : Mar 31 2019 | 10:20 PM IST

As Mozambique battles to control a fast-spreading cholera outbreak in the cyclone-hit central city of Beira, international assistance is arriving.

The number of cholera cases jumped to 271 over the weekend although no deaths from the disease had been reported.

More than 500 people have died in Mozambique from Cyclone Idai , which slammed into Beira more than two weeks ago, according to government officials.

Another 259 people died in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi, bring the three-nation total to more than 815.

Authorities warn the tolls are preliminary as flood waters recede and reveal more bodies.

The Chinese government has sent doctors to fight the cholera outbreak in Beira and on Sunday Chinese aid workers sprayed anti-cholera disinfectant in parts of the port city of 500,000.

The World Health Organisation has said some 900,000 cholera vaccine doses are expected to arrive on Monday, with a vaccination campaign to start later this week.

More From This Section

"You know we came from China and our government cares very much about the situation in Beira here in Mozambique. And China has a good relationship with Africa, so the China government sent medical doctors to come and give some treatment," said Wang Shenguin, spokesman for the Chinese doctors.

The US army joined the international humanitarian aid efforts to Mozambique by airlifting food and relief supplies from South Africa.

The first round-the-clock flights to deliver supplies from the UN World Food Program started Saturday and continued Sunday from King Shaka International Airport in Durban, South Africa, said Robert Mearkle, US embassy spokesman.

He said the commodities airlifted from Durban were from the World Food Program's internal stock.

"Separately from these shipments, the United States has provided nearly USD 3.4 million in additional funding for the World Food Program to deliver approximately 2,500 metric tons of rice, peas, and vegetable oil to affected people in Sofala, Zambezia, and Manica provinces," said Mearkle.

"This lifesaving emergency food assistance will support approximately 160,000 people for one month."

Also Read

First Published: Mar 31 2019 | 10:20 PM IST

Next Story