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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General appeals for help for Mozambique

29 February 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has appealed to Commonwealth Governments to come to the aid of Mozambique. In a message to Heads of Government, Chief Anyaoku, who is at present overseas on official duty, said:


 I am writing to bring to the attention of governments the serious humanitarian catastrophe that has befallen Mozambique as a result of the recent cyclones and floods that have hit that region. Over three hundred people are reported to have died over the past few days, while over 300,000 have reportedly fled their homes. Many more are at risk from malaria, cholera and other diseases.

 The most urgent need at the moment is to evacuate those who have been made homeless and those that are at risk from further floods in the affected areas. There is also an urgent need for food, shelter, clean water, medicines, sanitation and other basic survival supplies. In the longer term, Mozambique, which was in the process of rebuilding its economy after the long years of war, will need the wholehearted support of the international community to rebuild the areas destroyed.

 I strongly urge all Commonwealth Governments that are in a position to do so to support the Government and people of Mozambique at this time of crisis and to help mitigate and contain the impact of this catastrophe.

 

00/12 29 February 2000

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