Tropical Storm Ana passed through Mozambique and left an indelible trail of destruction for some 45,000 people, among whom the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates 25 are women and children.

The population suffering the most from the effects of the storm are from the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, the most populated in the country, but also from Tete, Niassa, Sofala, and Manica.

The national authorities say that the storm killed 20 people, however, the population assures that the number of fatalities is even higher.

The storm "damaged nearly 10,500 homes, as well as bridges, power lines, schools, water systems and health facilities," UNICEF reports citing the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD).

In a preliminary Civil Protection assessment, 12 health facilities and 346 classrooms (137 schools) were affected, "leaving 27,383 students without a place to learn ahead of the new school year, which is scheduled to begin on Monday," UNICEF warns.

The Government announced that it will put temporary metal bridges in place to allow the circulation to resume on two important roads, over the Revúbwe river, in Tete province, and over the Licungo river, in Zambézia.

Meanwhile, although Storm Ana has passed, Civil Protection warns: the risk of flooding persists in Sofala province, because the rains continue to feed watersheds that have been above warning levels in recent days.

"UNICEF estimates that it will need $3.5 million to meet the immediate needs of the affected populations," and is "using its pre-positioned supplies and mobilizing internal funds," he concluded.