In large parts of Southeast Africa stands the water. After the cyclone "Idai" swept over the region at wind speeds of 200 kilometers per hour, heavy rain followed. Unicef ​​children's NGO Unicef ​​spoke on Saturday of 1.8 million people affected by the devastating effects of the cyclone.

The death toll has risen to more than 600, according to the governments and the UN in the three countries concerned. At least 400 people lost their lives in Mozambique, more than 130 in Zimbabwe and more than 50 in Malawi. The Reuters news agency claims that more than 700 people died. According to relief organizations, the numbers will continue to rise.

Humanitarian aid workers, including members of the UN, have been on site for days. The World Food Program WFP has greatly expanded its emergency aid. In addition to the missions in Yemen, Syria and South Sudan, the catastrophe is now one of the biggest crises at the moment. The United Nations released $ 20 million to help fund the relief effort. The Tanzanian government, which borders Mozambique in the south, sent more than 200 tons of relief supplies to the region.

As the search for the survivors continues, Unicef ​​warns that water-borne diseases could make the disaster even worse. The floods, the overcrowded shelters, poor hygiene: Chaos, malaria and diarrhea are increasing in this chaos, according to UNICEF sources.

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Floods in Mozambique: "Ocean inland"

A big danger: the polluted drinking water in the affected regions. Two helpers of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) flew to the devastated port city of Beira in Mozambique during the night to Saturday with two drinking water treatment plants. A team of nine specialists also wanted to start in the afternoon. Once operational, the plants can treat 10,000 liters of water per hour, according to the THW.

Cyclone "Idai" hit land a month ago from the Indian Ocean near the port city of Beira in Mozambique, flooding huge areas in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Means for effective warning system are missing

Images of the disaster show people who are trapped on the roofs of their homes surrounded by water. Many remain there for days - without access to drinking water and food. Fallen trees block the streets, countless buildings have collapsed, including hospitals. There is talk of an "ocean inland". In the past few days, the rain caused rivers to overflow for kilometers.