Friends from Mozambique, and friends from Malawi and Boys and Girls.
I come here to express to you personally the very great sympathy felt by the British people, people of my country, for your plight. Even though we are many thousands of miles away, we hear of the terrible atrocities which have forced you to leave your homes and possessions and to seek refuge here in Malawi.
Some of you have lost not only all your possessions but much loved members of your families, with all the anguish and sorrow which that causes.
We do not forget you and we give not just our sympathy but our practical help and support. [end p1]
Above all, we want to help to create the conditions in which you can return once more to your homes and live in peace and safety with your families. That is something which I discussed just two days ago with President Chissano. But we will do as much as we can to help bring peace to your country.
May I also say how much we admire the spirit of humanity and generosity which the people and government of Malawi are showing towards you. They shared what they have in a truly Christian way. And no words of praise are too high to describe the work of the voluntary agencies and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in helping and looking after you. Their dedication and kindness are clear for everyone to see.
It is also good to see how much you are doing to help one another, whether it be in teaching children or in the dispensary or in medical ways.
And the people of Britain want to help too. We contributed £3 million of assistance last year and I can assure you today that we are going to give a further £3 million for the same purpose this year as well as a similar sum for relief work inside Mozambique itself. This comes from the government and people of my country with all their warmth, their sympathy and their hope for your future. [end p2]
I have heard today about the many extra hardships caused by the recent floods and bad weather and we are responding to that by providing blankets and clothes, about quarter of a million pounds worth, quite a lot of money, which the Malawi Red Cross will distribute to those most in need, both Mozambicans and Malawians. That is a small sample of some of the things we are providing, a very small sample because there are a lot of them and clothes to come.
We all long for the day when peace will be restored in Mozambique and you will be able to return to your homes. I promise that Britain will continue to give all the help and encouragement we can to bring that day nearer.
And may I say what an inspiration it has been to come and visit you and see how you are approaching your problems and an inspiration to see the work of all those who are doing so much to assist you.
That is just a token of some of the blankets and may I wish you all good health and better fortune in the years to come.