Donors have pledged an initial $1.2 billion to help Mozambique in its post-cyclone recovery after the country was hit by two tropical storms earlier this year.
The UN Development Program announced on Sunday that the pledge was made following the two-day donor conference held in the Mozambican coastal city of Beira.
The conference’s main aim was to “facilitate the reconstruction and building of resilience in the affected areas”.
Mozambique was hit by Cyclone Idai in March, killing over 600 people and destroying nearly 240,000 homes.
As the country was still recovering from the effects of Idai, Cyclone Kenneth made landfall, causing more deaths and destruction.
UNDP said the post cyclone reconstruction will focus on restoring productivity, social services, and infrastructure in Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambezia, Inhambane, Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces.
Some 700 participants from international organizations, development partners, private sector and civil society organizations are expected to participate in the two-day conference that will be graced by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi and several senior ministers.
In a message to the Beira conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the organization’s gratitude to the donors that responded to the call to come to Mozambique’s aid.
“I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have contributed – and continue to do so – to alleviate the suffering of the people who have been deprived of their goods, houses, infrastructure and livelihoods,” he said.
