BEIRA (MOZAMBIQUE) - Survivors of a cyclone that pummelled southern Africa began receiving medicine, food and tents Tuesday as floodwaters receded, while officials warned up to 500,000 people are displaced in the storm-struck region. "Close to 500,000 have been displaced in the three countries," the WFP said in a briefing note. The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Elhadj As Sy warned Monday "we are sitting on a ticking bomb" as he called for renewed efforts to address the worsening health situation. A procession of mourners carried the coffin containing the body of Tomas Joaquim Chimukme, who was killed by the cyclone, through saturated marshland outside Beira. The South African military has deployed several aircraft to the affected area and an EU-funded WFP chopper is supporting rescue and recovery efforts.

Source: Bangkok Post March 26, 2019 12:45 UTC