Switzerland is stepping up its water and sanitation aid in northern Mozambique, after the country was hit by a second powerful cyclone, just six weeks after the devastating Cyclone Idai.
Cyclone Kenneth, which made landfall on Thursday, killed at least one person and left a trail of destruction in northern Mozambique, destroying houses, ripping up trees and knocking out power, local authorities said. It was the most powerful storm on record to hit Mozambique’s northern coast.
“It is feared that over the next three to five days hefty rainfall will result in flooding in the Cabo Delgado Province as well as in the surrounding regions. Estimates say that up to 900,000 people in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa could be affected and will partially require humanitarian aid,” the FDFA said by email on Friday.
Cyclone Idai’s effects
Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries, is already trying to recover from Cyclone Idai that battered the nation six weeks ago, causing devastating floods and killing more than 1,000 people across a swathe of southern Africa.
Due to Cyclone Kenneth, available material for drinking water treatment and supply was moved from central to northern Mozambique on Friday, the FDFA statement said.
“It is being handed over to an established, SDC-financed project run by partner organisation Helvetas in the province of Cabo Delgado in order to implement emergency measures.”
Two WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) specialists and one logistics expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid UnitExternal link are flying over from Switzerland on April 28, to provide support to the Helvetas WASH team on the ground, added the FDFA.
On the ground
Switzerland’s deputy ambassador to Mozambique, Leo Näschler told Swiss public television SRFExternal link on Friday that the storm was a huge challenge for local officials, given the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. Preparations had been made, such as centres for people fleeing the latest cyclone.
He also pointed to the rain as being the next big problem, bringing with it not only floods and landslides but also the danger of disease.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Why cars still reign supreme in ‘rail-nation’ Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Credit Suisse should write-off Mozambique debt’: aid agencies
This content was published on
Mozambique has been devasted by severe flooding caused by cyclone Idai that has killed hundreds and destroyed infrastructure. NGOs such as Helvetas, Keesa, Solidar Suisse and Terre des Hommes have sent a letter to Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam urging the bank to re-think its policy on loan repayments. In January, three former Credit…
Swiss send more aid to cyclone-hit south-east Africa
This content was published on
Switzerland is dispatching more experts to the areas of Mozambique devasted by Cyclone Idai. Their focus: restoring the water supply.
Switzerland and Mozambique discuss peace and cooperation
This content was published on
It was the first official visit of a Mozambican head of state and government since 2009. The Swiss foreign affairs minister, Ignazio Cassis, also attended the talks. Cassis and his Mozambican counterpart José Condungua Pacheco signed an agreement on international cooperation which sets out the framework for Switzerland’s humanitarian, technical and financial assistance in Mozambique.…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.