The number of deaths from Cyclone Idai has now reached 268. This is according to the government of Zimbabwe which is set to launch an official international and domestic appeal for aid.
In her briefing after cabinet yesterday, Minister for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the death toll is likely to rise further.
Said Mutsvangwa:
Cabinet noted with satisfaction that access to the affected areas is steadily improving as more roads are being reopened. As a consequence of this development, the distribution of food and other forms of relief assistance is now reaching a greater spread of the affected communities. Cabinet however, is concerned over the shortage of aircraft to airlift relief assistance to collection points that are still inaccessible by road. It is noted with sadness that the figure of human fatalities has now risen to 268 and is still expected to rise as the search efforts continue.
More: The Herald