In pics: Mozambique cyclone damage

A major clean-up operation is under way in Mozambique, as a deadly cyclone hit on Thursday whilst the country was still recovering from severe flooding in the Zambezi valley.

Aid worker Francois Goemans, who took these photos, describes the extent of Cyclone Favio's damage. "Everything is smashed - the infrastructure is gone," he says.

"The towns of Vilanculos [44,000] and Inhassaro [about 15,000] are worst affected - there are no more hospitals, no more schools and 80% of homes are damaged," he says.

"Considering the destruction, casualties were very few. Cyclone Favio killed six people and injured 70, and those critical patients were referred to the main provincial hospital."

Mr Goemans attributes the few fatalities in the urban areas to, "people staying at home, inside, and so it was just the iron sheeting, the roofing, that was torn off."

But in the towns' outskirts the situation is worse. Mr Goemans says, "the thatched hut homes are destroyed, some you cannot even see anymore...

"And all the big trees are down."

It is thought that the affected in Mozambique's Inhambane province will require relief aid for two months. [Pics: Francois Goemans, EC Humanitarian Aid - ECHO]

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