Following the impact of Cyclone Freddy, WCS’s Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) Chief of Operations led an aerial damage assessment on 18th March from Mbatamila Reserve Headquarters. The team flew over Ndapata, Mussoma, Dilima, Nkuti and Mbamba communities as well as Lugenda and Mariri Camps on the banks of the Lugenda River.This is one of the biggest rivers that flows through NSR and Niassa Province. Its source is in Mandimba District – one of the areas particularly affected by the passage of Cyclone Freddy.
The team witnessed numerous destroyed houses, flooded agricultural fields and camps. Thankfully there were no human fatalities - largely due to the government extreme weather warning which led people to take refuge in higher areas.
Following the assessment, a rescue team was dispatched by boat to Irangue community located on the riverbanks by the confluence of the Lugenda and Irangue rivers. WCS will continue to support the affected communities and areas in whatever way possible.