Government calls for donation to help Mozambique hit by Cyclone Idai
JOHANNESBURG – SA government calls for donation to help countries affected by the Cyclone Idai.
The past few months South Africa has experienced load-shedding which has been exacerbated by the Cyclone Idai which damaged Mozambican transmission line to Eskom.
Eskom announced on 16 March that it would implement rotational Stage 4 of load-shedding due to the loss of capacity which includes imports from Mozambique.
The power utility said the imports from Mozambique are unlikely to be restored in the next few days. The disaster has had a direct impact on the country as it depends on the imports from Mozambique. Parts of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique were affected by the tropical cyclone that left trails of destruction while claiming tons of lives in its wake.
We made it to #Beira. Coming in by helicopter we saw significant damage, barely any houses seemed intact, power lines and trees are down, many parts are flooding. What we hear that the situation outside the city is even worse #cycloneIdai @ifrc @IFRCAfrica @CruzVermelhaMOZ pic.twitter.com/dVGsHhyviv
— Caroline Haga (@hagacaroline) March 17, 2019
The International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has urged South Africans to make donations for flood relief in neighbouring countries battered by Tropical Cyclone Idai.
“The Minister has, on behalf of the people of South Africa, sent a message of condolence to the people of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and wished those in hospital speedy recovery,” the department said.
“We have directed all our embassies and diplomats to continue to work with the three countries to assess the damage. We have this afternoon received reports from our Missions and our teams on the ground who are working with authorities. What is urgent now is the provision of humanitarian aid,” Sisulu said in the statement.
The department urged South Africans affected by the floods to contact the Embassies or call the 24-hour DIRCO call centre on 012 351 1000.
Companies, NGOs and individuals who are able to assist are requested to contact:
- Matheko Rametsi RametsiMU@dirco.gov.za on +27 81 037 2765
- Surprise Malehase MalehaseS@dirco.gov.za on +27 83 700 7946
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