How Africa News
The United Nations is conducting a two-day conference to drum up funds to help Mozambique recover from the effects of the devastating back-to-back cyclones earlier this year.
The forum kicked off on Friday in the coastal city of Beira, coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The conference hopes to raise $3.2 billion to “facilitate the reconstruction and building of resilience in the affected areas”.
“I personally witnessed the results of the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai during my recent visit to the affected areas”, said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa. “UNDP fully supports the efforts of the Government of Mozambique to achieve sustainable recovery and resilience,” he added.
Cyclone Idai made landfall in March, killing over 600 people and destroying nearly 240,000 homes.
As the country was still recovering from the effects of Idai, Cyclone Kenneth hit again, causing more deaths and destruction.
UNDP said the post cyclone reconstruction will focus on restoring productivity, social services, and infrastructure in Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambezia, Inhambane, Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces.
Some 700 participants from international organizations, development partners, private sector and civil society organizations are expected to participate in the two-day conference that will be graced by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and several senior ministers.
