The Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation showed Portugal's solidarity and willingness to help Maputo with the floods that have hit the city in recent weeks.

The Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation expressed Portugal's solidarity yesterday in Maputo in the face of the floods in southern Mozambique in recent weeks, reiterating Lisbon's openness to supporting the affected populations.

"I had the opportunity to express our solidarity with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique, Manuel Gonçalves, for the difficulties caused by the floods that have hit southern Mozambique in recent days," Francisco André told the media in Maputo.

Portugal's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation was speaking moments after a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in the Mozambican capital, as part of a working visit to Mozambique that began this Monday.

At issue are the floods that affected the south of the country last week, with seven deaths and 37,000 people affected, according to figures from the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD).

"We have, of course, expressed our willingness to provide any support that may be necessary on our part," said the Portuguese government official, quoted by Lusa.

Francisco André is in Mozambique until Friday, and his agenda includes trips to the provinces of Sofala, Nampula and Cabo Delgado, where he will visit projects supported by Portugal.

"They are generally exemplary projects. They are well articulated and well coordinated with the Mozambican authorities," said Francisco André, adding that his visit will serve to analyze the "excellent" relations between the two states.

During his visit to Mozambique, Francisco André will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Mozambican Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the company Mota Engil for the rehabilitation of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Baluarte, on Ilha de Moçambique (Nampula).