Metro

14 reported killed by Cyclone Freddy in Madagascar, Mozambique

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2023

The death toll as a result of the tropical storm, Cyclone Freddy, in Mozambique and Madagascar has risen to 14, after the storm made a landfall in both countries.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA), said on Thursday that so far, seven people have died in each country as a result of the Cyclone.

“The number of people affected by Cyclone Freddy has also risen to 383,000, that includes 226,000 in Madagascar and more than 163,300 in Mozambique,” the agency said in its latest situation report.

“The Tropical Storm Freddy made a landfall in Vilankulo district, Inhambane province, of Mozambique on 24 February, where it has led to significant rainfall, with river levels expected to continue rising.”

“Between 23 and 27 February, Dondo in Sofala Province and Vilankulo both received more than 500 millimetres of rainfall, while Massinga, in the Inhambane Province and Beira in Sofala Province, both received more than 300mm.”

The Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) also reports that a further 300mm of rain are expected in Inhambane Province this week, indicating that the potential for unprecedented flooding on the Changane River, particularly between Chibuto town and Xai-Xai in Gaza Province.

“In Zimbabwe, on the other hand, while flooding is still possible in south-eastern Zimbabwe, severe flooding is now unlikely, as Freddy did not extend as far inland as previously forecasted,” GloFAS said.

It added that in Mozambique, more than 163,300 people had been affected by rainfall and flooding generated by Tropical Storm Freddy across southern and central Mozambique by 28 February, including 9,268 people who were taking shelter in 26 accommodation centres.

“The number of people displaced has increased to 37,700, and more than 28,800 houses have been destroyed or damaged.

“Even though the intensity of Cyclone Freddy was not as much as we expected, hundreds of thousands of people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Recovery will take months,” World Food Programme’s representative in Madagascar, Pasqualina Di Sirio, said.

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Metro

‘Cyber Act fails to protect the vulnerable,’ Student demands media inclusivity for persons with disabilities

Published

15 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Peter Libila, a student at Icof University’s Chipata campus, highlights the lack of awareness among individuals with disabilities and those residing in rural areas about their digital rights, resulting in limited access to media platforms for free expression.

Libila underscored the marginalization of people with disabilities in discussions on community development, leading to their exclusion from voicing their perspectives.

In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Eastern Province, Libila discussed the discrimination and stigma faced by individuals with disabilities in the media landscape.

Read More: Differently-abled person speaks on challenges impacting freedom of expression in rural areas

“Persons with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to community developments,” he emphasized.

Moreover, as someone with a physical disability, Libala pointed out shortcomings in the Cybersecurity Act which failed to adequately address online barriers to freedom of expression.

“The act fails to ensure online safety for all; it only offers protection to certain groups while neglecting others,” he asserted.

He stressed the importance of bridging these gaps to foster inclusivity within the media.

“There’s a lack of sign language interpreters in most media outlets, which poses challenges for the deaf community,” he observed.

Libila also emphasized the necessity of providing braille reading materials and writing tools for individuals who are blind.

“Even basic resources like braille books are often unavailable for the blind,” he lamented.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

All my tough policy decisions are in Nigerians’ interest— Tinubu

Published

19 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has insisted that all his tough policy decisions and reforms have been taken with the interest of Nigerians at heart.

Tinubu, who made the assertion in Hague, The Netherlands, during the business session of the bilateral meeting with the Dutch team led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, insisted that though some of the policies had brought hardship on Nigerian masses, he was not afraid to implement more of such policies as they would yield positive results in the end.

“I am a determined leader of my people. I am ever ready to take tough decisions in the best interest of the people, even if with initial pains,” Tinubu said.

“I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people, even if there is short-term pain.

“We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.

“The Nigerian naira is one of the world’s best-performing currencies today.

“We took the necessary risk, and all resilient Nigerians kept faith with us.

“They will be rewarded, and the reward will only be greater as we partner effectively with you on new opportunities for development.

“As leaders, we must make decisions for the benefit of our nations, and we cannot shy away from that.”

The President also noted that symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity rather than one-sided relationships in which bilateral trade is skewed too much in one direction.