11 March 2008
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are spearheading the world body's relief efforts in northern and central Mozambique, where Cyclone Jokwe struck the coast at the weekend with winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.
At least seven people are reported killed and thousands left homeless after their houses were partially or totally destroyed, while many towns and villages have no electricity because of damage to power line infrastructure.
Authorities in Mozambique fear the situation could worsen in some areas as the storm, which is still active, moves south. The northern province of Nampula is currently the most affected, but the flooding is expected to worsen in the central provinces.
UNICEF and WFP have mobilized staff to the areas affected, including specialists in water and sanitation, education and social policy. UNICEF is also sending water purification products and plastic sheeting to cover the houses that no longer have their roofs.
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