A Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) transport aircraft has delivered 29 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Mozambique as part of flood relief efforts.
The Il-76 landed in Maputo on Thursday 19 March, after departing Moscow on the 17th and routing through Pakistan and Djibouti.
“By decision of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, following instructions from the Government of Russia and on the orders of EMERCOM Head Alexander Kurenkov, around 29 tonnes of humanitarian cargo were transported from Moscow,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.
The Il-76 was carrying food, essential supplies, as well as tents and blankets for flood-affected communities in Mozambique. It departed Maputo on Friday, subsequently arriving for a stopover in Djibouti.
Earlier this month the National Disaster Risk Management Institute (INGD) reported that nearly 870 000 Mozambicans have been affected by flooding in the current rainy season, which runs from October to April. Some 270 people have died, while 399 749 hectares of agricultural land has been lost and 530 000 animals killed, including cattle, goats and poultry. Nearly 7 900 kilometres of roads, 36 bridges, and 123 culverts have been affected. Nearly 7 000 people required being rescued, and thousands remain in temporary shelters. Heavy rains again fell in Mozambique earlier this week.
The Russian humanitarian flight to Mozambique comes after Russia’s Ministry of Defence and EMERCOM delivered equipment and 63 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Madagascar after the island state was hit by the tropical cyclone Fytia.
Russian military Il-76 and An-124 aircraft transported two Mi-8 helicopters, six KamAZ vehicles and 3 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Madagascar in February. A further 60 tonnes arrived on two aircraft operated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The food assistance to Madagascar included sunflower oil, rice, beans and sugar.
On 19 February, Russian Minister of Defence Andrey Belousov held talks with Madagascar’s Minister of National Defence General Maminirina Ely Razafitombo, who noted the assistance provided by Russia following Cyclones Gezani and Fytia.
Madagascar is strengthening ties with Russia. President Michael Randrianirina travelled to Moscow in February, the first official visit by a Malagasy leader in nearly 50 years.
It emerged that Russia is supplying military equipment to the island nation and has sent a delegation to train armed forces in its use.
Russia supplied arms and deployed military personnel to support Madagascar’s military junta, Bloomberg reported in late December. A Russian aircraft delivered 40 soldiers and 43 crates of weapons, including rifles and anti-tank systems, to Ivato International Airport on 20 December. National Assembly Speaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko said the transfer was carried out under a “legitimate interstate cooperation agreement.”
