India on Monday delivered 500 tonnes of rice and medicines to Mozambique for humanitarian aid to families affected by January floods. The products were handed over to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Mozambican community abroad by the High Commissioner of India to Mozambique, Robert Shetkintong, who highlighted his country’s commitment to supporting populations affected by natural disasters.
« In March, the Indian ship Tricon delivered essential items and medicines. This shipment of [500 tonnes of] rice took some time due to logistics, but today I have the honor and am very happy to hand over the symbol of the shipment to the honorable secretary of state, » the diplomat said.
The Indian support comes after floods hit several regions of Mozambique earlier this year, causing deaths, destroying infrastructure and affecting thousands of families.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Mozambican Community Abroad, Maria de Fátima Manso, said that international aid will be important both to meet the immediate needs of the populations and to support the reconstruction of affected areas. “These floods have created destruction, and this destruction will also need international help, international support, so that we can overcome it,” said Maria de Fátima Manso.
Mozambique is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, being frequently affected by floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which runs from October to April.
Mouni OUEDRAOGO and Zié DIARRA