Maputo, Mozambique — The Italian government has pledged half a million US dollars to support emergency operations underway in Mozambique's flood-stricken central region.

A press release from the Italian embassy in Maputo said Monday that the Italian government would also send a planeload of medicines, tents and other equipment to the central city of Beira.

The release said that an Italian delegation led by Deputy Cooperation Minister Massimo Iannucci, would arrive in Mozambique on Tuesday.

The delegation would hold talks with Mozambican government officials in Maputo, and in Beira where it would coordinate the Italian aid.