African Development Bank Provides $ 50 Million for Post-Cyclone Assistance



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An international donor conference to fund the reconstruction of parts of Mozambique, affected by the cyclone, was held in the city of Beira on May 31 and June 1.

Multilateral development agencies, international organizations, government officials, the private sector and civil society gathered at the conference to solicit financial support for their efforts.

The combined effects of Cyclone Idai in central Mozambique on 14 March 2019 and Hurricane Kenneth in the north a few weeks later caused widespread destruction and affected the livelihoods of 2 million people in Mozambique alone.

About 140,000 people have been displaced, 240,000 families have seen their homes totally or partially destroyed and 1.4 million people are now in need of urgent food aid. Damage to socio-economic infrastructure has been significant: 3,500 km of national roads and 10,200 km of electricity distribution lines have been badly damaged. Nearly 1,400 school buildings were affected.

A post-disaster needs badessment, led by the Government of Mozambique and supported by the African Development Bank, the European Union, the World Bank and the United Nations, estimated the cost of reconstruction at $ 3.2 billion. dollars for Mozambique alone.

In his keynote speech, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi called on development partners to support the country's reconstruction: "Mozambique will lead international efforts to mitigate climate change through better management of its forests and forests. oceans, and develop financial instruments to reduce climate risk for communities. "

The call sparked a strong response from development partners, who announced a total contribution of $ 1.2 billion to reconstruction efforts. The African Development Bank will immediately make $ 50 million available to Mozambique, as part of a regional intervention program that will also benefit Malawi and Zimbabwe, the other two countries affected by Idai. This contribution is one of the elements of the Bank's multidimensional approach to recovery activities, which also includes emergency support to save lives; technical support for access to financial products for climate risk management and advice for a resource mobilization campaign.

Speaking on behalf of African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, Pietro Toigo, country director for Mozambique, said: "The current commitment is an initial contribution to the reconnection of communities to the markets. and services and livelihood development. The Bank aims to be a long-term partner for the reconstruction of Mozambique and to provide intellectual and technical leadership to the reconstruction effort. "

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