An RAF aircraft has delivered UK relief to the worst-hit areas of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi from the Department for International Development (DFID). The A400M Atlas Aircraft is thought to have included items such as water purifiers, solar lanterns, and shelter kits to provide some of the estimated 37,500 people needing shelter.
The UK has also sent previous aid to the area following Cyclone Idai including 7,500 emergency shelter kits and tents to provide a temporary replacement for the 17,400 homes lost. RAF pilots were chosen for the journey due to the challenging flying conditions and flooding.
Penny Mordaunt, International Development Secretary, said: “The UK government was one of the first to respond to this crisis and is currently the biggest global donor to the response. It is doing all it can to provide life-saving help to the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless or without food by this devastating cyclone.”
“The UK aid on board this RAF plane due to fly into Mozambique contains essential supplies, which will make a real and immediate difference to the survivors.”
“This is undoubtedly one of the biggest natural disasters to hit the region, and our thoughts remain firmly with the victims.”
In total the UK has now sent £22million to affected areas, which includes £4million of matched donations from the Disaster Emergency Committee appeal. The DFID has also supported the World Food Programme in delivering food to stranded people and a UK plane has been delivering aid between the cities of Maputo and Beira in the worst affected areas.
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A400M Atlas cyclone DFID East Africa Humanitarian Aid pilots RAF