Mozambique's cyclone devastation has become a 'ticking bomb' of disease
Cyclone Idai isn't going anywhere.
The storm has long since subsided over southeast Africa, leaving at least 750 dead from the cyclone and the flooding that followed it. But those waters have created a hotbed of disease, leaving unhygienic conditions and the beginnings of cholera, malaria, and typhoid outbreaks behind, Al Jazeera reports.
Even before Idai made landfall in Beira, Mozambique on March 15, heavy rain had already flooded much of the country and nearby Zimbabwe and Malawi. Winds upwards of 109 miles per hour continued the destruction. Ten days later, the 530,000-person city of Beira is largely dry, but is just starting to reestablish basic communication services, The Associated Press reports. Standing water remains in more remote parts of the country, leading an international Red Cross head to say "we are sitting on a ticking bomb" when it comes to "water-borne diseases," per France24.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Malaria is already a major problem in Mozambique, and with towns still flooded, its propagation is "unavoidable," Mozambique's land and environment minister Celso Correia said. He also said "we'll have cholera for sure," AP notes. Four people were recently diagnosed with typhoid in the central Manica Province, and more cases are expected to pop up, per Al Jazeera.
Some roads have been pumped clear of water, letting two field hospitals and water purification systems embark further into Mozambique. Drones are also being used to locate places that need help. Correia was asked about concerns that humanitarian aid money could be lost in Mozambique's ongoing corruption scandal, and he tersely said "we are doing everything to fight corruption," AP reports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
5 category 5 cartoons about hurricane Helene
Artists take on precarious conditions, planning ahead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Wolfs: 'comedy thriller' stumbles despite George Clooney and Brad Pitt
While the crime caper might 'pleasingly pass a Saturday night' its star-studded duo cannot ultimately salvage it
By The Week UK Published
-
The death of Hassan Nasrallah
In the Spotlight The killing of Hezbollah's leader is 'seismic event' in the conflict igniting in the Middle East
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published