​Chinese rescue team assists with disaster relief in Mozambique

Photo taken on March 29th, 2019 shows Chinese rescue team provides medical help to victims of Cyclone Idai at a relocation site in Beira. [Photo: China Plus/ Gao Junya]

A group of search and rescue technicians from China are now in Mozambique, working around-the-clock to help ease the suffering brought about by Cyclone Idai.

At one of the relocation sites for the victims of Cyclone Idai in Beira in central Mozambique, Doctor Yang Jing is treating a patient who's suffering from a serious leg ulcer.

The patient refused to go to local hospitals for help, saying she was worried the doctors there would advise simply amputating her wounded leg.

Photo taken on March 30th, 2019 shows Chinese rescue team carrying out disinfection work at a relocation site in Beira. [Photo: China Plus/ Gao Junya]

However, the size and pain from her leg ulcer has been relieved significantly thanks to the careful treatment by Doctor Yang Jing over the past several days.

"I still remember when she first came to me, she could barely walk. She was dragging her leg with the big ulcer. Now, after three days' treatment, her conditions are getting better."

Yang Jing is one of the medical staffers who is assigned to the Chinese team, which has been sent out to Mozambique by China's Ministry of Emergency Management.

The 65-member rescue team arrived at Beira on March 25th.

Since then, it has been providing search and rescue support, medical aid and epidemic prevention assistance for the cyclone-hit country.

Photo taken on March 30th, 2019 shows some survivors of Cyclone Idai are packed in a camp. [Photo: China Plus/ Gao Junya]

Over the past week, Chinese medical staff have given medical assistance to over 3-thousand patients.

Local resident Abido, who suffered an injury to his shoulder when Cyclone Idai was ravaging the region, says the Chinese rescue team is playing a significant role in reducing local people's suffering.

"I'm very happy that the Chinese rescue team is here to help us. The medical staff from the team have treated many patients, including me. You know, local hospitals are crowded with patients that are in urgent need of treatment and they failed to take care of us. Yet the Chinese team is here, providing support. I like them very much."

It's been over two weeks since Idai rampaged across central Mozambique.

Since then, hundreds-of-thousands of survivors have been packed into camps, schools or other facilities, leading to serious concerns about disease outbreaks.

The number of cholera and diarrhea cases is on the rise, with a cholera outbreak being feared as well.

The Chinese teams have been carrying out disinfection work every day at the relocation sites to curb the likely spread of disease.

Albert Muanido is a public health technician in Mozambique.

"I think we need that. Here at Beira, we have many cases of diarrhea and cholera. And with this sanitation, I think it'll be a great thing for decreasing the cases. We don't have cases here. But with this help that they are giving us, we'll reduce the effect of diarrhea from this local community."

At least 139 cholera cases have already been confirmed in Mozambique.

The World Health Organization says around 900-thousand oral cholera vaccines are due to arrive later on this Monday.

A major vaccination campaign will begin this week as well.