She highlighted the creation of local committees for disaster risk reduction, community-based early warning systems, use of community radio, and short-range forecasts and weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Service and Water Directorate.

Nonetheless, Ms. Maita also pointed to weaknesses which had been exposed by recent disaster events including inadequacy of funding for early warning systems along river basins and room for improvement in coordination mechanisms.

She drew attention to the fact that alongside the loss of 648 lives and the 2.8 million people affected by tropical cyclones this year another 814,000 people were feeling the effects of drought.

In an overview of damage to critical infrastructure, INGC reports stated that the cyclones destroyed or damaged 300,000 homes while also leaving 4,910 classrooms destroyed, 138 health facilities affected, 93,000 hectares of crops lost, and over 1,500 electricity poles damaged.

Ms. Mizutori also met with the media and told journalists that she wanted to support Mozambique’s recovery effort and “to offer our good offices to build back better.” She said that the UN family is with the country on the “difficult and very long journey towards recovery.”

Date:

10 Sep 2019

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Africa (UNDRR AF)

Themes:

Climate Change, Critical Infrastructure

Hazards:

Cyclone, Drought, Epidemic & Pandemic, Flood

Countries:

Mozambique

Regions:

Africa