It is the first papal visit to the region in 36 years. The death toll continues to rise here from a cholera outbreak in the wake of heavy flooding. More than 1,700 people have been infected and officials say at least 100 people have died in the past week. Compounding the problem are cultural mores which require families to keep dead bodies in carts near their homes for two or three months before burial, adding to the likelihood of transmission of the disease. In addition to the epidemic, the World Food Program estimates that the rains, although not as severe as those in nearby Mozambique, have resulted in as many as 43,000 people losing their homes or crops.
Officials say that the arriving forces found much of the town in ruins and many civilians hungry.
Despite a massive multinational effort to feed an estimated 360,000 people, disaster victims are still going hungry in this southeast African nation ravaged by the worst floods on record. While people in aid camps in the central and southern areas of the country receive at least one meal a day, U.N. World Food Program spokesperson Abby Spring said Saturday that thousands of others who have returned to their homes as waters slowly recede or escaped the worst of the flooding are resorting to desperate measures such as drying and eating water-spoiled crops. The WFP said 12 areas near Chibuto with a combined total of some 18,500 people need help. The government estimates 492 people have died as a result of heavy rains which began early last month. About two million acres of farmland have been damaged and large areas are still under water with more heavy rain possible before the rainy season ends at the end of the month.