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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE European Union (EU) has increased humanitarian support to three countries ravaged by Tropical Cyclone Idai by availing an additional €12 million with Zimbabwe set to get €4 million ((US$4,49 million) to assist victims of the devastating floods.

The EU said the €12 million will be equally shared by Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi which were the hardest hit countries where the cyclone displaced millions of people leaving them homeless and infrastructure worth billions of dollars was destroyed.

In a statement, the EU said the total EU humanitarian assistance in response to this natural disaster now amounts to over €15 million.

Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Mr Christos Stylianides said the EU would continue to stand with the three countries during the humanitarian crisis.

“We continue to stand in solidarity with the people affected by cyclone Idai and the floods in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. There are still urgent humanitarian needs to be met and we are scaling up our efforts so that relief continues to be brought to the people in need,” said Mr Stylianides.

The EU said from the €12 million, Zimbabwe would get €4 million, Mozambique €7 million and Malawi €1 million from the fund.

“In Zimbabwe, €4 million will provide people affected by the flood with shelter, water and sanitation, as well as food assistance. The floods have exacerbated an already existing food security crisis, which was brought by drought and a volatile economic situation which is affecting almost 3 million people,” read the statement.

“From today’s announcement, €7 million will benefit people in Mozambique, where up to 1.85 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. This assistance will provide shelter, water and sanitation, humanitarian food assistance, health and psychosocial support.

“The cyclone coincided with the annual harvest period, thereby affecting food security in the months ahead. Access to safe water is a major concern in a bid to avert the spread of disease outbreaks”.

In Malawi, the EU said people in need will benefit from assistance worth €1 million in the form of food aid and support to recover their livelihoods.

“The floods in Malawi have had an impact on 860 000 people, 85 000 of whom have lost their homes and are currently living in camps or makeshift settlements,” said the statement.

In a consolidated Tropical Cyclone Idai International Humanitarian Appeal, Government on Tuesday outlined key areas in which it requires assistance and a budget breakdown.

Government said Cyclone Idai left 344 people dead and destroyed property worth billions of dollars with others still being reported to be missing.

With regards to food security and nutrition, Government said it required $29 million while emergency shelter and non-food items require $75 million.

—@AuxiliaK