Cyclone Idai: We’re ready to assist – Akufo-Addo to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sent messages of condolence to the peoples of Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique following the devastation caused by the tropical cyclone, Idai.

The President made this known in three personalized letters, dated Wednesday, 20th March, 2019, to President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, President Emerson Mnangagwa, and President Peter Mutharika of Malawi.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I extend sincere, heartfelt condolences to you, Your Excellency, and to the brotherly people of Mozambique on this tragedy,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “You can be assured of the solidarity of the Ghanaian people and its Government in these difficult times. We stand ready to assist, within our modest means, in helping to restore a sense of normalcy to everyday life in the affected communities.”

Effects of Cyclone Idai

In Zimbabwe, at least 98 people have died and 217 people are missing in the east and south, the government said.

In Malawi, the UN says more than 80,000 people have been displaced by the cyclone.

Large parts of Mozambique have been engulfed after the cyclone smashed into its low-lying coastal areas, while heavy rains caused landslides and floods in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

In a related development, former president John Mahama tweeted Thursday evening calling on Nana Addo to mobilise his counterparts to help the three countries.

It's been almost a week since Cyclone Idai slammed into the Southern part of Africa. Watching the humanitarian crisis unfolding, following the landfall of this category 2 cyclone, it shows that our continent is totally unprepared for the extremities associated with climate change

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 21, 2019

Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have all declared emergencies and appealed for humanitarian assistance. African countries must quickly take the lead to mobilise a humanitarian response in support of our brothers and sisters. pic.twitter.com/TczUE3OlCj

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 21, 2019

With about 1,000 people now confirmed dead, buildings flattened & survivors struggling to find hard surfaces to cling to, I call on our continental organization, the AU, to lead an emergency response to help save the lives of affected persons in our sister countries. pic.twitter.com/LinhKJGhBy

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 21, 2019

In the past, Ghana showed leadership & led emergency efforts such as during the Ebola outbreak. It will be a great sense of pride if President @NAkufoAddo rallies his colleagues to mobilise an African-led support package to alleviate the harrowing stories we are beginning to see. pic.twitter.com/NAv1zRQk4t

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) March 21, 2019