The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed the international community to provide more aid to Mozambique, reported Reuters. He said the funds pledged to help Mozambique recover from the devastation of two successive cyclones is way less than what is needed.
“The funds mobilized both for emergency and for reconstruction is far below what is needed,” Guterres, who is currently on a tour to touring Mozambique, said.
Mozambique was hit by two powerful cyclones within weeks of each other. Cyclone Idai, which struck in March, was the strongest storm on record to hit the poor southern African country. It left 700 people dead and displaced 1.5 million others. Just six weeks later, Cyclone Kenneth battered the northern parts of the country, killing at least 41 people. The two cyclones, which affected well over two million Mozambicans, were natural disasters made worse by chaotic extremes of weather.
“The two severe cyclones that struck Mozambique are a consequence of global warming,” Guterres said.
He added that Mozambique was a victim of climate change despite the fact that it contributes nothing to global warming.
“The international community has a moral responsibility to show solidarity with Mozambique,” he said after talks with President Filipe Nyusi in Maputo.
He pointed out that appeals for post-cyclone aid have gone underfunded.
“More aid and more support will be needed from the international community in Mozambique to respond effectively”, said the UN chief. “And not just more support, but the swift implementation of that promised support. That is another crucial issue, regarding the solidarity of the international community. We must not only support but support on time.”
Guterres will fly to Beira city, which was the hardest hit by cyclone Idai, on Friday where he will visit displaced people housed in temporary shelters and meet the local authorities.
