SPR to set up field hospital in Mozambique

The Finnish Red Cross-SPR will this week dispatch aid to cyclone-hit Mozambique.

SPR will send a freight aircraft loaded with 29 tons of supplies including a communication unit and a field hospital.

The supplies are currently being packed at the Finnish Logistics Centre in Kalkku.

Two SPR aid workers will this week also depart for Mozambique to set up the hospital and prepare for its operation. Recruitment for more hospital staff is also underway.

"We are not exactly sure where the hospital in Mozambique will be located, and whether the hospital in Mozambique will be an independent hospital or part of a local hospital. Needs are currently being mapped together with Mozambican ministry of health," said Tiina Saarikoski, Head of International Disaster Management at SPR.

The hospital will, for instance, take care of births, pregnant women, new born babies as well as surgical procedures .Psychological support is also an important part of the hospital's operation.

"We are also prepared for various epidemics such as cholera," said Saarikoski.

There are currently three aid workers in Mozambique.

SPR has allocated 200,000 from its disaster fund to assist the victims affected by tropical cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The foreign ministry has so far offered assistance towards operation totaling 300,000 euros.

The tropical storm has caused enormous damage and affected millions across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.