"We're now talking about a major catastrophe here."
(Image credit: radionz.co.nz)1.8 million people across Mozambique have now been affected by a cyclone which slammed the country last week.
Officials say the number of people who have died could exceed 1,000.
Neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi were also hit, with hundreds already known to have died.
Many more have been displaced, following the high winds and severe flooding.
UNICEF is concerned that flooding, combined with overcrowding, poor hygiene, and stagnant water will claim even more lives - with reports of cholera spreading across the region.
Aid-agencies are warning they have too few resources to help those in need.
Peter Power, chief executive of UNICEF Ireland, has been in touch with Irish aid workers in Mozambique:
"They're talking about a real race against time to save many thousands of people and children who are completely trapped. They're talking about entire villages and towns being still submerged by water.
Goodness knows what final death toll and the amount of people affected will rise to in the coming days and weeks.
We're now talking about a major catastrophe here."
Ray Jordan, chief executive of Self Help Africa, says there are huge challenges ahead:
"The critical thing is to be able to actually get people into safe areas as quickly as possible; and also plan as quickly as we can, once those waters begin to reduce, the recovery of this - which is going to take years, can get underway."
