Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi has announced the immediate disbursement of 10 million US dollars for post-flood reconstruction activities.
According to reports, Nyusi announced the disbursement while addressing the nation on the floods crisis, after overflying the worst affected áreas, in the Umbeluzi and Incomati river basins, in Manhica, Boane, Magude, Namaacha and Moamba districts, all in Maputo province.
The number of people affected by the storms and flooding in Maputo city and province is now put at over 39,000. 306 schools were affected, some so badly that they cannot function at all. As a result, 118,000 pupils are unable to study. At least, 11 schools have been turned into temporary accommodation centres for flood victims.
Reports showed that the storms knocked down electricity pylons and swamped transformer posts. 18,500 electricity consumers were plunged into darkness. As for agriculture, 6,645 hectares of assorted crops were inundated, affecting about 30,000 households.
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Making the announcement, Nyusi said that the government has drawn up a “Joint Response Plan” to provide food for over 53,000 people in the next seven days. Clean drinking water will also be provided. He added that the government has also decided to place technical brigades of the National Roads Administration (ANE) at key positions, with the task of ensuring basic conditions so that traffic can keep moving along the roads.
“We shall carry out a survey of the damage and losses”, said Nyusi, “in order to repair the affected infrastructures, and normalise the water supply”.
He noted that the government will distribute seeds to the households affected by the floods so that they can plant for the second sowings of this agricultural year, adding that access to credit for commercial farmers is being negotiated with the banks.
He further stated that duly identified residents of the worst-hit area, the municipality of Boane will benefit from a 50 per cent reduction in public transport fares for the next three months.
Story was adapted from All Africa.
