CYCLONE IN MOZAMBIQUE A SETBACK TO DEVELOPMENT
Pope Launches Solidarity Campaign for Devastated Country
MAPUTO/CAIRO, FEB 25 (ZENIT).- Two weeks of rain and cyclone "Eline"
have put an end to years of effort for Mozambique's progress. The
country, which was already in difficulty after 2 years of war, has come
to a sudden standstill, to the detriment of numerous micro development
projects being carried out by several organizations. At present, 800,000
people are in danger of epidemic; and 600,000 are homeless, having
escaped from certain death, carrying a minimum of clothing on their
backs. At least 70 persons died as a result of the cyclone, according to
the U.N. "Cholera, meningitis and malaria are the most immediate risks,
and some are already dying from these ailments," UNICEF executive
director Carol Bellamy said, on her return from Mozambique.
From Cairo, John Paul II offered prayers for Mozambique and appealed to
the international community to give "effective" signs of solidarity.
Vast areas of the country are submerged and can only be reached by
helicopter. A good part of the southern province of Gaza, and the
central province of Inhambane, are inaccessible by land. South African
radio reported that special teams have arrived from the United States.
The World Health Organization has warned about the risk of epidemics,
particularly cholera and malaria, caused by stagnant water. French and
South African humanitarian agencies are collaborating by air.
The U.N. has made an appeal to collect $14 million to be distributed to
8 humanitarian agencies working in the area, managing food, health,
water, hygiene, education, communications, and coordination. Since last
Wednesday, some 500 persons are being treated for malaria in the Manhica
hospital north of the capital, Maputo. Even before the floods, malaria
was the principal cause of mortality in Mozambique. The Foreign Minister
said that extensive areas of agricultural production have been
destroyed. The government has requested $65 million from the
international community for emergency aid.
According to Fr. Antonio Rusconi, director of Radio Maria in Mozambique,
"the hospitals are full because of malaria. For example, the hospital
next door to our center has not a single place left. The risk of cholera
is greater outside the capital because the water isn't good." Given the
situation, the Catholic Church has opened its places of worship so that
the homeless can be sheltered.
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