UN, Mozambique to raise 200 mln USD for drought victims
Xinhua, April 20, 2016 Adjust font size:
The UN mission in Mozambique announced Tuesday that it will work with Mozambique to raise 200 million U.S. dollars to help the victims affected by severe droughts.
This is part of efforts to deal with the 90-day "red alert" issued by the government last week, as severe droughts in southern and central regions of the African country have left some 1.5 million people at grim risk of food insecurity.
The raised money will be used to secure water sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, agriculture and food assistance, said a press release issued by the UN mission.
"Among the most affected people, there are children under the age of 5, pregnant women particularly those breastfeeding in the provinces of Sofala and Tete," said UN resident coordinator to Mozambique Marcia de Castro.
The funds will also be used for children protection, in particular for girls vulnerable to sexual abuses and exploitation because of the droughts.
El Nino has put Mozambique in grave droughts, which have pushed up food prices, especially vegetables. Mozambique relies heavily on neighboring South Africa for vegetable supply. Endi