Oil and gas companies ExxonMobil and Anadarko have sent donations to aid agencies in Mozambique following a disastrous and deadly Cyclone Idai which made landfall on March 14.
According to the UN, the full scale of the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Idai in south-west Africa is becoming clearer, and the emergency “is getting bigger by the hour,” with at least a thousand people feared dead.
ExxonMobil and Anadarko, which are working on developing giant gas deposits found offshore Mozambique have sent donations to help with relief efforts.
Exxon said on Tuesday it was providing $300,000 to aid agencies to support disaster relief and recovery efforts.
“Of this amount, $250,000 will be contributed to the American Red Cross for ongoing rescue efforts and for food, shelter and comfort for the storm’s victims. ExxonMobil’s affiliate ExxonMobil Moçambique Limitada will contribute another $50,000 to organizations operating in Mozambique that are assisting the government with disaster relief efforts,” ExxonMobil said.
“We are deeply saddened by the impact of Cyclone Idai on Mozambique and surrounding countries,” said Darren W. Woods , ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive officer. “The devastation has been widespread, and this funding will help provide relief during a difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
ExxonMobil employees and contractors have been reported safe following the cyclone.
In Mozambique, ExxonMobil owns an indirect 25 percent interest in Area 4 and will lead the construction and operation of onshore natural gas liquefaction plants. The company also holds 60 percent operating interest in the Angoche (A5-B) and Zambezi Delta (Z5-C and Z5-D) basins awarded during Mozambique’s fifth licensing round.
We want to help, and by joining the efforts of the Government of Mozambique, we hope our contribution can bring some level of relief to affected families..
Separately, Anadarko last week said it was committed to donating the US$200,000 to support the victims of the disaster.
“This is an extremely difficult time for the country and in particular for individuals, families and the communities directly affected by these natural disasters. We want to help, and by joining the efforts of the Government of Mozambique, we hope our contribution can bring some level of relief to affected families. We will work with the Red Cross in the next few days to better understand the emergency needs and how our commitment can best be channeled to ensure delivery of emergency assistance.”
UN has this week reported that victims are trapped on roofs and clinging to trees awaiting rescue, while across Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, while roads, bridges, and crops have been washed away.
According to the UN Foundation, at least 1.7 million people were in the direct path of the cyclone in Mozambique, and in Beira City, more than 100,000 women, men, and children are in urgent need of humanitarian aid after powerful winds and flooding destroyed homes, medical facilities, schools, crops, and more.
Donate to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support relief efforts for humanitarian crises and underfunded emergencies.
Funds from CERF will support emergency response efforts on the ground, helping to swiftly provide vital supplies, including food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, health care, and more.