Influx of aid Helicopters from the US, UK, France, Germany and Spain will try to reach the more isolated communities that so far have been beyond the reach of the relief efforts. The surge in foreign aid follows criticism from the Mozambican Government of the lack of urgency in relief efforts. The UK is diverting a supply ship from the Gulf to deliver more helicopters and personnel, but it will take about six days to arrive. Nearby Lesotho and Zambia have committed cargo planes to the relief operation. Officials are hoping that tropical cyclone Gloria, currently over Madagascar, will weaken before it reaches Mozambique.
Malaria is a growing danger, with clouds of disease-carrying mosquitoes appearing in flooded areas.
Almost half the people rescued from the Save river valley are showing symptoms of malaria, Unicef officials say. The stranded communities close to the submerged district of Xai-Xai pleaded for food on Friday. Dozens of villagers rush to meet each new consignment of aid from the World Food Programme helicopters, which bring maize meal, medical packs and clothes. Before that, weather forecasters had been warning of the danger, as rivers swollen by exceptional rainfall across southern Africa flowed into Mozambique. The country's President, Joaquim Chissano, says the devastating floods have made it much more urgent that international creditors cancel his country's debts.