Russia delivers aid to flood-hit Mozambique (PHOTOS)
A cargo plane has carried 29 tons of food tents and essentials to support hundreds of thousands affected by the natural disaster
Russia has delivered 29 tons of humanitarian aid to Mozambique, using a special aircraft operated by the country’s Emergencies Ministry, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday.
The shipment was delivered on the orders of the President Vladimir Putin, the government and Russian Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Alexander Kurenkov.
“The Il-76 aircraft delivered food supplies, essential items, as well as tents and blankets for the population affected by flooding in the African republic,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Emergencies Ministry said Russian rescuers provided assistance to Mozambique following the floods.
Late last year, heavy flooding in Mozambique developed into a humanitarian crisis after weeks of intense rainfall. The government declared a Red Alert on January 16, signaling urgent humanitarian needs as heavy rains caused rivers to overflow and flash floods across central and southern regions.
More than 650,000 people were affected, with tens of thousands of homes inundated and key infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, damaged, according to regional authorities. Regional bodies, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), deployed emergency teams to support rescue and recovery operations.
In February, Russia provided humanitarian assistance to Madagascar after the island was hit by two powerful cyclones. The storms caused widespread flooding and damage, killing more than 60 people and affecting hundreds of thousands. Moscow provided 60 tons of food along with six trucks and two Mi-8 helicopters.
READ MORE: Russia provides critical disaster relief to Madagascar (VIDEO, PHOTOS)