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The South African Communist Party pledges its resolute solidarity with the people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. The SACP further commends the South African government for the steps it has taken to offer assistance.

In addition South Africans as a whole need to support the effort and co-ordinate people-to-people solidarity assistance. Though we were divided by colonially established borders, the underlying historical fact remains that we are one people. The SACP expresses its most heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the wake of the cyclone, and wishes those who are injured and ill a speedy recovery.

Mozambique is the worst affected, with over 700 people across the country left dead. Cyclone Idai is considered to be the worst tropical cyclone on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole. It is officially recorded that in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, the cyclone left 139 people dead. Manicaland is the worst affected region in Zimbabwe. Thousands of people across both Mozambique and Zimbabwe have been reported missing. Others are ill, from moderately to critically ill, injured, trapped in hard-to-reach or inaccessible places and displaced. It is absolutely important to intesify efforts to offer assistance.

Issued by The SACP