By AFPMore by this AuthorPARIS,The UN Food and Agricultural Organization on Friday launched an appeal for $19 million in short-term aid for farmers, fishers and other food producers in cyclone-hit Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries. The three groups in three Southern African countries hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai - Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe - "are under severe threat," an FAO statement said. As flood waters recede, "keeping animals alive, rehabilitating damaged land and rebooting food production will be critical," it added, given that 80 percent of the population in Mozambique depends on agriculture. The FAO estimates that $19 million (almost 17 million euros) would provide three months' support for local populations. Before Cyclone Idai hit, 1.8 million people already lacked access to secure food supplies, the statement said.

Source: Daily Nation March 30, 2019 04:18 UTC