Mozambique

More than 52 million people in 18 countries across southern, eastern and central Africa are facing up to crisis levels of hunger as a result of weather extremes, compounded by poverty and conflict.

 

Leaders must heed climate strikes and give vulnerable people the tools to survive.

Hunger is escalating as the United Nation’s humanitarian response in Mozambique is less than half funded.

Oxfam, together with Save the Children and CARE are calling for further emergency food assistance along with longer term livelihoods support to avert yet another crisis. 

Oxfam and international and local partners are planning to help people in Mozambique hit by a second devastating cyclone in less than six weeks.

Areas hit by Cyclone Idai are “like a war zone” says Oxfam. The destruction and suffering are still not fully mapped. Despite initial appeals, international aid effort are still grossly underfunded, and aid agencies are already stretched and running out of resources.

The first fatality has been confirmed and the number of cases is soaring, now over 1,000.

News reports that the number of cases of cholera in the cyclone-devastated city of Beira has risen to 139.

Oxfam will begin distributing lifesaving aid including water purification tablets and hygiene kits to some of the communities worst affected by Cyclone Idai over this weekend. 

Oxfam staff speak of desperation, loss of hope and home, people in treetops - as rains are still falling and waters rising in some areas.