*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Fears of food crisis in Mozambique grow in the wake of storm Dineo  

24 February 2017

World Vision

Destruction: the tropical storm Dineo hit the northern coast of Mozambique, before reaching Maputo and other parts of South Africa

Destruction: the tropical storm Dineo hit the northern coast of Mozambique, before reaching Maputo and other parts of South Africa

THE tropical storm Dineo, which hit Mozambique last week, killing seven people and destroying the homes of thousands more, is likely to exacerbate the country’s food crisis, aid agencies have warned.

The storm left a trail of damage in its wake, and the torrential rain flattened crops. The rainwater is expected to make its way to the Limpopo river, where water levels are already high: floods there would destroy farmland and crops in the area.

The humanitarian and emergency affairs director for World Vision (WV), Joseph Kamara, said: “People were just recovering from the El-Niño-induced drought, which was terrible, when the storm hit. We have one big harvest season at the end of March, and, if that harvest fails, then this has a serious impact on food production.

“We should know soon if the water which fell is going to flood the Limpopo basin, where farmers grow maize. There is fear that it will flood and destroy the crop.”

News of the damage caused by the storm was still coming in from remote regions, he said. Schools, hospitals, and businesses had also been damaged by Dineo, which was downgraded to a tropical depression the day after it made landfall on Mozambique.

Mozambique is already one of the world’s poorest countries, and has suffered devastating cycles of flood and drought.

Farmers are also suffering from an invasion of a crop-eating pest known as the fall armyworm, so called because it marches from maize crop to maize crop. It is native to South America, but was identified in Africa last year, and is spreading rapidly. Scientists have warned that it poses a significant threat to food security.

Mr Kamara said that WV’s partners were working with farmers to help them identify the pest, and transport pesticides.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

Inspiration: The Influences That Have Shaped My Life

September - November 2024

St Martin in the Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2024

tickets available

 

Can a ‘Good Death‘ be Assisted?

28 November 2024

A webinar in collaboration with Modern Church

tickets available

 

Through Darkness To Light: Advent Journeys

30 November 2024

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)