VATICAN (Agencies): As an immediate sign of his concern and an encouragement to other donors, Pope Francis has sent US$50,000 ($392,000) each to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi to assist with initial emergenacy relief efforts after Cyclone Idai hit the region and caused massive flooding, Catholic News Service reported on March 22.
 
In Mozambique, more than 700 people were feared dead and more casualties expected as of March 23, africanews.com reported.
 

JAKARTA (UCAN): Aid is being rushed to victims of floods and landslides in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province that have killed dozens of people and displaced thousands over the third week of January.
 
At least 68 people were reported dead and 6,700 others were made homeless, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said on January 27.