Regional Emergency Team Joins Mozambique Flood Rescue Effort
As the devastating floods in Mozambique continue to wreak havoc on communities, a regional emergency team has arrived on the scene to lend a helping hand. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) team, comprising experts in logistics, search and rescue, public health, communications, and civil-military coordination, has been integrated into Mozambique's national humanitarian system to reinforce ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.Floods Leave Trail of Destruction
The floods have damaged key roads, schools, health centers, and other critical infrastructure. Gaza Province is currently the worst hit, with nearly 392,000 people affected and four deaths reported. Additional fatalities have been confirmed in other regions: three in Maputo Province, one in Maputo City, and four in Sofala Province. The nationwide death toll now stands at least twelve, as emergency teams continue to reach isolated communities and assess the full scale of the disaster.
Regional Team Brings Expertise to the Table
The SADC team has brought a wealth of expertise to Mozambique, including specialists in logistics, search and rescue, public health, communications, and civil-military coordination. They have been integrated into Mozambique's national humanitarian system to reinforce ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Humanitarian Agencies Sound Alarm on Hunger and Disease Risks
Humanitarian agencies are warning of rising hunger and disease risks in the affected areas, with extreme weather wiping out crops that millions of small-scale farmers rely on to feed themselves. The threat of water-borne diseases such as cholera looms large, and displaced people on long-term medication face life-threatening interruptions.
The arrival of the SADC team is a welcome development in Mozambique's flood relief efforts. As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating floods, it is clear that a coordinated effort will be necessary to restore essential services and provide support to affected communities.
