$3.2bn required for Mozambique for reconstruction after catastrophic cyclone Idai

Mozambique now requires a gargantuan amount of around USD 3.2 billion to financially support the reconstruction of its central and northern regions affected by the cyclones Idai and Kenneth. The Mozambican government has announced through the weekly briefing on May 14 in the capital, Maputo.

The government spokesperson Ana Comoana told the press that the figure comes from the report of the post-disaster assessment carried out by multi-sectoral government teams and some partners, which will be submitted to the donors' conference to be held in Beira at the end of May.

"The amount is meant to fund the reconstruction of social, productive and other essential sectors affected by the cyclones. The report will form the basis of the donors' conference," the spokesperson opined, as reported by Xinhua.

The state electricity firm recently said USD 145 million are needed to restore the transmission and distribution grid in affected areas.

Comoana said the government is prepared to mobilize resources internally in case it does not succeed in getting all the funds from the international partners. "If we can get the value in full, it will be great, otherwise we will have to make internal efforts to make the project feasible," said Comoana.

Because of the cyclones, the Mozambican government has lowered its expectation for the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the original 4.7 percent to 2.5 percent. Here, the data revealed by UNICEF claims that over 25,000 cases of malaria have been reported with 1.8 million people and 1 million children in urgent need.

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