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 The BBC's Emily Buchanan reports"The relief effort is grinding into action"  real 28k  International development minister George Foulkes"We are now funding nine helicopters in Mozambique"  real 28k |
UK steps up Mozambique aid
Helicopters are racing against time to save people
Five helicopters paid for by the UK are flying into action to join rescue efforts in flood-stricken Mozambique.
Britain is also flying dozens of inflatable boats and a 30-strong team of experts to the area.
And International Development Secretary Clare Short has said her officials are working around the clock to find more helicopters to be used in the region.
Britain is also flying dozens of inflatable boats and a 30-strong team of experts to the area.
And International Development Secretary Clare Short has said her officials are working around the clock to find more helicopters to be used in the region.
 Thousands need airlifting
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Two transport planes carrying nearly 70 boats with outboard motors and 39 life rafts are expected to fly out of Britain on Thursday.
Also on board will be representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, fire and rescue workers, members of the International Rescue Corps and staff from the government's department of international development.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that the UK had committed more money - £4.2m - to Mozambique than any other country.
And he called on other countries to come up with similar amounts to help people in the disaster zone.
Mr Blair told MPs: "We have now found and chartered five more helicopters locally, making, I think, a total of nine.
"We are sending two large transport aircraft with 69 inflatable boats and motors, 39 self-inflating rafts and Land Rovers.
"There is a team of 30 expert volunteers going with this equipment. We are also sending more shelter material and sheeting." .
Also on board will be representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, fire and rescue workers, members of the International Rescue Corps and staff from the government's department of international development.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that the UK had committed more money - £4.2m - to Mozambique than any other country.
And he called on other countries to come up with similar amounts to help people in the disaster zone.
Mr Blair told MPs: "We have now found and chartered five more helicopters locally, making, I think, a total of nine.
"We are sending two large transport aircraft with 69 inflatable boats and motors, 39 self-inflating rafts and Land Rovers.
"There is a team of 30 expert volunteers going with this equipment. We are also sending more shelter material and sheeting." .
Britain has been right out there and has been very forthcoming with assistance.  |
World Food Programme spokeswoman
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The scale of the British response has been praised by one of the organisations leading the massive relief and rescue effort, the World Food Programme.
"We have over the last 24 hours got some governments to actually lead the way and start providing larger sums of assistance.
"Britain has been right out there and has been very forthcoming with assistance," said Michelle Quintaglio.
'Inadequate response'
But she warned that was still a need to do more.
"This emergency is growing day by day and we are completely overwhelmed," she said.
Four RAF helicopters are also on stand-by to join the rescue effort.
"We have over the last 24 hours got some governments to actually lead the way and start providing larger sums of assistance.
"Britain has been right out there and has been very forthcoming with assistance," said Michelle Quintaglio.
'Inadequate response'
But she warned that was still a need to do more.
"This emergency is growing day by day and we are completely overwhelmed," she said.
Four RAF helicopters are also on stand-by to join the rescue effort.
 Glenys Kinnock: International reponse inadequate
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Tory Shadow International Development Secretary Gary Streeter said that was still not enough.
He asked Ms Short why she would not "combine forces" with the MoD, "charter heavy-lift aircraft and fly a batch of British helicopters and pilots down to Mozambique before it's too late".
Ms Short said that there was "no problem of lack of co-operation with the MoD".
She said equipment from all sources - including the MoD - would be considered for use in the area.
She warned that the situation in Mozambique was "terrible - and it is going to get very much worse".
Meanwhile a plea for the European Union to "kick-start" an organised response to the crisis has come from Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock, a spokeswoman on development policy.
She condemned the international effort so far as "inadequate".
Combined charity effort
The UK's leading development and relief charities are joining forces to appeal for donations.
The Disasters Emergency Committee is made up of 11 charities, including the British Red Cross, Cafod, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, Oxfam and Save the Children.
He asked Ms Short why she would not "combine forces" with the MoD, "charter heavy-lift aircraft and fly a batch of British helicopters and pilots down to Mozambique before it's too late".
Ms Short said that there was "no problem of lack of co-operation with the MoD".
She said equipment from all sources - including the MoD - would be considered for use in the area.
She warned that the situation in Mozambique was "terrible - and it is going to get very much worse".
Meanwhile a plea for the European Union to "kick-start" an organised response to the crisis has come from Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock, a spokeswoman on development policy.
She condemned the international effort so far as "inadequate".
Combined charity effort
The UK's leading development and relief charities are joining forces to appeal for donations.
The Disasters Emergency Committee is made up of 11 charities, including the British Red Cross, Cafod, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, Oxfam and Save the Children.
 Victims need food as well as rescue
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A spokesman for the DEC said: "This is a terrible tragedy for a country that was beginning to get back on its feet after 16 years of civil war.
"The death toll may never be known, but survivors have lost everything. We're appealing to the British public to help ordinary people caught up in this disaster."
Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Mozambique Floods Appeal can be made on 0870 60 60 900.
Postal donations can be sent to The DEC Mozambique Floods Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 9AA, with cheques payable to The DEC Mozambique Floods Appeal.
For more details visit the committee's website athttp://www.dec.org.uk
"The death toll may never be known, but survivors have lost everything. We're appealing to the British public to help ordinary people caught up in this disaster."
Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Mozambique Floods Appeal can be made on 0870 60 60 900.
Postal donations can be sent to The DEC Mozambique Floods Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 9AA, with cheques payable to The DEC Mozambique Floods Appeal.
For more details visit the committee's website athttp://www.dec.org.uk
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