Donald Trump directs US military to provide support to Cyclone Idai-hit Mozambique

The US military says President Donald Trump has directed it to support relief efforts to assist Mozambique with the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai more than a week ago.

The US Africa Command statement comes three days after Mozambique's government made a formal request to the international community for aid. The southern Africa nation earlier declared a national disaster as its president said deaths from the cyclone could reach 1,000. Confirmed deaths are now close to 450.

The US statement says AFRICOM provides disaster relief "when it has unique capabilities that can be utilized in the U.S. Government's response." It says the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa will lead the US military efforts and that its initial assessments have begun at the scene of the disaster.

With inputs from agencies.

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