Page 7 - issue05.04.2019
P. 7
Royal Air Force News Friday, April 5, 2019 P7
News
RAF flies in aid
as Cyclone Idai
death toll rises
Simon Mander
A ROYAL Air Force Atlas transporter
flew emergency supplies into crisis-hit
Mozambique after a cyclone ripped
through the region leaving 50,000
people homeless.
A Brize Norton-based Atlas crew
landed at Beira with 20 tonnes of
equipment including water filters, solar
lanterns, blankets and shelter kits.
An estimated 700 people are
already feared dead after Cyclone Idai
battered Mozambique, Zimbabwe
and Malawi on Africa’s south east
coast.
The United Nations has
launched an international aid
appeal amid growing fears
that outbreaks of waterborn
diseases like cholera could see
the death toll rise dramatically.
In Mozambique the
government has declared a
national emergency. stalling all land-based rescue delivered forklift trucks and
UK aid will help support an missions and making the air other equipment to speed up
estimated 37,500 people in the operation even more critical. the time it takes to unload aid
country without shelter. The A400M Atlas previously from aircraft.
The consignment includes 500 delivered UK aid to those affected The UK’s International
water filters, 1,000 solar lanterns, by the earthquake and tsunami that Development Secretary,
3,520 blankets, and 600 shelter kits struck Indonesia last year. Penny Mordaunt, added:
which will be distributed by UN RAF Air Mobility Force “The UK government
agencies. Defence Secretary Gavin Commander, Air Commodore Dom was one of the first to DISASTER RELIEF:
Around three million people Williamson said: “The UK stands Stamp, said: “The Atlas has proven respond to this crisis and From top left, a
were affected – most of them in united with those affected by the our ability to deploy globally, to bring is currently the biggest Serviceman delivers
Mozambique, where the key port city devastation of Cyclone Idai at this vital aid relief quickly and effectively global donor to the aid at Beira airport,
floods caused by the
Beira was devastated and farmland incredibly difficult time.” to those who urgently need it.” response. cyclone in central
flooded. RAF pilots navigated challenging A flight containing more than “This is undoubtedly Mozambique, the
Among those at risk are a million flying conditions to reach the affected 7,500 emergency shelter kits and one of the biggest natural A400M Atlas, a woman
children after the storm ripped areas. family tents arrived in Maputo, disasters to hit the region, and child affected by the
devastation, unloading
through the region causing an Many villages and landmarks Mozambique’s capital, last week. and our thoughts remain supplies. PHOTOS: CPl
estimated $1 billion of damage. have been submerged by floodwater, Another UK aid flight has firmly with the victims.” Tim Laurence/PA