President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique has made an urgent appeal for more international aid to help cope with the widening crisis caused by severe flooding and a tropical cyclone.

His call came as aid workers warned that the country's disaster had not yet peaked.  Mr Chissano said the country was facing a tragedy,  and urgently needed dinghies to ferry people still stranded by the floods. "For reconstruction we will need seeds and agricultura implements because, as soon as the water goes away, we will need to plough and plant again along with blankets, tents and more food for the displaced," he told reporters.

"And we had a cyclone which hit the southern and central parts of the country. The damages are big. I do not have figures yet ... but the needs are for the urgent alleviation of the situation."

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