PRETORIA, March 28 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says it is continuing its relief efforts in flood-ravaged Malawi and Mozambique.
This follows the devastation caused by tropical cyclone Idai, which made landfall across areas in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, leaving a trail of destruction, death and total displacements of communities.
Having been deployed on March 16 by President Cyril Ramaphosa to support flood relief efforts with the United Nations, joint inter-departmental, inter-agency and other multinational organisations in Mozambique and Malawi, the SANDF conducted search and rescue missions in support of other humanitarian agencies.
Using its air platforms, the SANDF is also engaged in multilateral efforts to provide lifesaving and sustenance supplies to areas cut-off by the devastating cyclone.
“The SANDF was critical to all agencies operating in the area in that it provided air-lifts to assist in most low-lying areas, including Beira in Mozambique, which saw entire villages submerged under water, with death toll rising and many people unaccounted for,” the SANDF said in a statement.
To date, two heavy cargo aircrafts were dispatched to both Malawi and Mozambique to deliver medical supplies, meals and other equipment to support these humanitarian efforts.
Scores of people were taken to places of safety by the SANDF personnel supported by elements from other agencies.
The SANDF relief teams have been deployed to those acutely inaccessible areas of Malawi such as Chapinga, Chinkwangwa, Zomba District in Makina, and Phalombwe in Phaloni. — NNN-SAnews