Patrice Motsepe's foundation donates R15m to Mozambique cyclone relief
- The donation comes as part of widespread relief efforts to help those affected by Cylone Idai
- The cyclone did significant damage to property and crops
- The flooding and infrastructure damage has also increased risks of cholera and malaria
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Billionaire Patrice Motsepe's foundation has donated R15 million to help Mozambicans who were affected by Cyclone Idai.
The South African government is also reportedly donating R60 million to the relief effort.
The cyclone died serious damage to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique, affecting almost three million people.
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The International Organisation for Migration described the cyclone as the worst natural disaster to strike the region in decades.
In addition to the initial damage done by the cyclone, the flooding and damage to infrastructure have led to increased outbreaks of malaria and cholera.
According to The Citizen, more than 3 000 square kilometres of land has been reduced to swampland by the heavy rain. Additionally, 400 000 hectares of crops were destroyed, which is particularly devastating because they were due to be harvested in April and May.
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Idai also took a human toll on the countries affected. 700 deaths have been confirmed in Mozambique and Malawai alone, with hundreds more missing, Briefly.co.za learned.
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Several government relief camps have since been set up to help those who lost their homes. They are reportedly housing more than 170 000 people. Despite the devastation, reports indicate that conditions are slowly improving.
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Source: Briefly News