Reference :
V-P-MZ-E-00193
Date :
19/02/2020
Caption :
Matarara, resettlement camp. Amelia Joaquim (left), Rozita Samuel (centre left) and Fatima Mequissenne (right) pay their respects at the graves at their loved ones, lost to Cyclone Idai in 2019, a few kilometers away from the village. Amelia lost her father Mario. Rosita lost three children: Elena who was four, Samuel who was three, and Sarah who was one, as well as her mother who was 52. Her mother and her daughter Elena’s remains were found and buried on this site, while the remains of her two other children are still missing. Fatima lost her 11-year-old daughter Isabel. Amelia, Rozita and Fatima’s deceased loved ones could be found and were given a dignified burial with the ICRC’s support. While nothing will replace the loss of a child, a parent or a sibling, for these families, knowing where their loved ones are buried and having a place where they can mourn and pay their respects makes a huge difference.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, photo gallery, 13.03.2020
Cyclone Idai: Families pay their respects to lost loved ones one year on
It has been one year since Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi affecting over three million people across the three southern African countries. Over a thousand people lost their lives as flood waters swept their homes away. While other disaster response teams provided much needed emergency aid in the form of shelter and food, water and medical intervention, the ICRC’s forensics team had the arduous task of recovering the dead and helping with safe and dignified burials. In the immediate aftermath, the ICRC distributed shelter kits, blankets and food in coordination with the World Food Programme to meet the most urgent needs. The organization also distributed seeds and agricultural tools to help families replant their crops in order to sustain themselves in the long term. Health centres and prisons affected by the floods were rehabilitated and water supply was restored to communities cut off from access.
The forensics team worked with local authorities to promote best practice on standardized data collection of the missing and dead and supported the Mozambican forensic authorities to draft contingency plans on safe and dignified burials. One year on, the ICRC accompanied some of the families that lost their relatives as they visited the graves of their loved ones to pay their respects.
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
3500x2333
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
