MOZAMBIQUE- The National Disasters Management Institute (INGC), the Mozambique’s relief agency, on Friday received a donation from the Chinese government of 185 pre-fabricated houses, and the same number of portable toilets for victims of the torrential rains that have hit parts of the country.

Since the start of the rainy season in October, at least 18 people have lost their lives, mostly due to lightning strikes, and about 15,000 have been displaced from their homes. In addition, 200 classrooms have been destroyed.

On receiving the donation (the value of which was not announced), the Minister of State Administration, Carmelita Namashalua, said “this material will assist those families who have been severely affected by the rains. It may help those families who have lost property because of the storms to rebuild their lives”.

She added that the government's goal is to minimise the impact of heavy rains. “We want to see fewer people dying because of the rains”, she said.

The Chinese ambassador, Li Chunhua, who delivered the gift, said his government will continue to support Mozambicans whenever they are in need. But he advised people living in areas vulnerable to flooding to move.

“It is better to prevent than to cure”, said Li. “I think that with the efforts of the government and of civil society, we will be able to minimize the impact of floods. We must remain vigilant to prevent other disasters”.

Asked which provinces will benefit from the Chinese gift, INGC director Joao Ribeiro said the decision will be taken later by the INGC's Technical Council.