Oxfam teams are assessing the needs of people worst affected in all three countries. They are reporting extensive damage to homes and crops. Some areas have been rendered impassable with roads and bridges and phone lines having been washed away.
Winds of up to 140km/h caused damage which is likely to run into millions of dollars. The Presidents of Zimbabwe and Mozambique have both declared a national disaster.
Oxfam’s southern Africa Regional Director Nellie Nyangwa said: “The impact on affected areas has been devastating. We expect that there will be over a million people affected in the region. We are already beginning to focus on work that will help recover people’s livelihoods, prevent water borne diseases, and protect displaced people.”
Oxfam is responding with water, sanitation services, food and other non-food items.
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