Hundreds homeless after storm

Three people died and almost 800 families were left homeless when a fierce storm struck Mozambique's port city of Beira last Thursday night, a Red Cross official told IRIN on Monday.

During the storm 663 houses were partially destroyed and 117 houses were completely destroyed, said Mozambique Red Cross Secretary-General Fernanda Teixeira.

Almost all the homeless had found refuge with family or friends while about eight families were receiving official assistance, she added.

The storm also damaged the Red Cross district office in Buzi, south-west of Beira.

Final assessments were being undertaken by the Red Cross and by Mozambique's national disaster authority.

"They didn't lose their belongings, and many have jobs in the city so it could be considered a temporary setback," Teixeira said.

Mozambique has been struck by severe floods over the past few years, prompting NGOs and the government to review their response to such disasters and to implement many life-saving initiatives.