×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

U.N. ups Zimbabwe aid appeal after cyclone

Victims of Cyclone Idai receive food aid at Siverstream Estates in Chipinge, Zimbabwe in the wake of Cyclone Idai's rampage.
Victims of Cyclone Idai receive food aid at Siverstream Estates in Chipinge, Zimbabwe in the wake of Cyclone Idai's rampage.
Image: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo/File Photo

The United Nations asked donors on Friday for an extra $60 million(R851.38 million)  to help Zimbabwe recover from a cyclone that tore through eastern regions last month.

The storm flooded swathes of land, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis caused by an earlier drought.

It killed at least 268 in the southern African country and hundreds more in neighbouring Mozambique and Malawi.

"The revised humanitarian flash appeal aims to respond to the rising humanitarian needs of people in Zimbabwe due to a dry spell, challenging economic situation and compounded by the recent Cyclone Idai disaster," the U.N.'s resident coordinator in Harare, Bishow Parajuli, said.

The request raised its total current appeal for Zimbabwe to $294 million (R4 171.75 billion.

Zimbabweans are also facing an economic crisis - prices of staples such as sugar, cooking oil and rice have risen as much as 60 percent since February, fuelling anger against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government. 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.