African Development Bank leads reconstruction efforts in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi in aftermath of deadly cyclone

The water is receding in Beira – Mozambique’s fourth largest city – weeks after the deadly cyclone hit in March 2019, leaving behind scenes of desolation and grief-stricken survivors.

Tropical Cyclone Idai, one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere, caused catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, leaving more than 1,000 people dead and thousands missing. Hundreds of thousands of people have been rendered homeless and displaced. Thousands of classrooms were destroyed, and children thrown out of school.

In the aftermath of natural disasters like cyclones, initial efforts concentrate on humanitarian relief and the immediate needs of loss of life and property. But in addition to immediate relief support, reconstruction and economic recovery will be at the heart of the African Development Bank’s strategy for the affected countries

Indeed, while aid is trickling in, a big push is needed to help rebuild the three countries.

The African Development Bank is leading a fundraising effort for the affected countries from private sector sources.

Bank experts are currently assessing key reconstruction priorities and working to mobilise resources from the international community, global philanthropic organisations and the general public. While providing emergency assistance, the Bank’s efforts will focus mostly on medium-term reconstruction needs of the affected areas, including a climate risk insurance plan.

A resource strategy, to be led directly by African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, will see him meeting with private sector leaders to rally additional support for the three flood-affected countries.

The first phase of the plan consists of a special relief fund of $1.7 million for Mozambique, specifically for the immediate humanitarian relief effort in the worst affected areas. The Bank is expected to announce similar emergency relief funds for Malawi and Zimbabwe in the coming weeks.

In the second phase, the Bank will set up a response and reconstruction programme, committing up to $100 million to begin economic recovery and rehabilitation in for Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The African Development Bank is also working to put together a long-term solution to climate risk in Southern Africa, a region subject to a continuous cycle of floods, droughts and cyclones, and one of the most vulnerable in the continent.

Original source: AfDB
Published on 15 April 2019