BEIRA, Mozambique, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said on Thursday evening that after 15 days of searching and rescuing for victims of Cyclone Idai, the national emergency action is entering a new crucial stage, during which humanitarian assistance will be delivered to affected families.
Nyusi made the remarks in Beira, Sofala province, after a meeting held with several humanitarian organizations, and a silent tribute for the victims.
"Humanitarian assistance is based on five key pillars: food assistance, medical assistance, property and shelter assistance, water supply assistance and environmental sanitation assistance," said Nyusi.
According to the president, the resumption of life in disaster-hit areas requires a readjustment of assistance provided, which should be oriented to agricultural inputs, construction materials among others.
Nyusi said that the government will distribute farm implements in the affected regions, and promised to accelerate the reconstruction of the center region to resume normal life of people.
He added that vulnerable families, pregnant women, orphaned children in accommodation centers will continue to receive assistance.
Nyusi also announced measures taken to mitigate the social impact of affected families in the central region by suspending or reducing fees charged in the public health, transportation and energy system.
Textbooks will be reprinted for free distribution, and the charge in energy and public buses will be cut 50 percent for industry and trade participants, he said.
"There will be vaccination of 800,000 people to prevent outbreaks of the cholera disease," said Nyusi.
