MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government is greatly saddened by the devastation and
loss of life caused by the widespread flooding affecting Mozambique.
Australia will provide a further $1.5 million to help the victims of
the devastating floods in Mozambique.
The World Food Programme (WFP) will receive $250,000 to support their
rescue and food distribution operations.
Australia will contribute $1 million to Mozambique to assist local communities
with rehabilitation efforts once the floods have subsided. These efforts
are likely to focus on providing people with essential supplies such as
food and water as well as helping to rebuild houses, helping to restore
vegetable gardens and repairing damaged schools.
AusAID officers have been despatched to Mozambique to liaise with the
Mozambique Government as well as local and international aid agencies
on how Australia's rehabilitation assistance can be best used by those
affected by the floods.
Zimbabwe and South Africa are also experiencing serious flooding. Additional
funding of $250,000 will be made available to Australian diplomatic missions
in Zimbabwe and South Africa to support local activities to assist victims
of this natural disaster.
This announcement of $1.5 million is in addition to assistance Australia
has already provided for emergency relief - $150,000 was provided to UNICEF
to assist in providing medical supplies and $100,000 to WFP to deliver
emergency food aid.
If Australians wish to assist the flood victims, I would encourage them
to make a donation to one of the emergency appeals issued by Australian
aid organisations.
| Media contacts: |
Innes Willox (Ministerial) |