By Jaime Inacio
Africa-Press – Mozambique. For several days now, the family of a young Mozambican woman who died in Portugal, a victim of Storm Kristin, has been facing difficulties in proceeding with the repatriation of her body to Mozambique due to a lack of financial resources. The process costs around 350,000 meticais, an amount the relatives say they do not have. The government assures that it is monitoring the case and promises support, but so far has not put forward concrete measures or defined timelines.
Helda Muianga, aged 28, was the youngest daughter of Joana Chiure. On 16 January, she travelled to Portugal in search of a job opportunity, but ended up losing her life just 14 days after arriving in the country, in the city of Leiria, one of the areas most affected by the storm.
“She was in Leiria, which was where there were the most problems. On Thursday I tried to call again, but she no longer answered. A person we know, who also spoke to her, called my son-in-law and told us the situation, that she was no longer well, that she was no longer among us,” said Joana Chiure, the victim’s mother.
According to the family, Helda lost her life on 27 January as a result of the collapse of the residence where she was staying.
Fifteen days after the tragedy, Helda Muianga’s mother is still trying to come to terms with the loss of her daughter.
“There were two daughters; now I am left with only one. She had many dreams, had already completed university and a lot was expected of her because she was young. She was only 28 years old; this year she would have turned 29. It is a loss that I cannot even describe,” Joana lamented.
With a degree in International Relations, Helda Muianga dreamed of a career linked to diplomacy and professional internationalisation. Now, ironically, intense diplomatic coordination is required to ensure the repatriation of her body to Mozambique.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Mozambique assures that the government is working to support the family in the process.
“We are working towards supporting the family in the repatriation of the coffin. As for dates, we do not yet have a concrete forecast, as we are coordinating with our diplomatic mission in Lisbon. After the death, there are internal legal and administrative procedures that need to be complied with,” explained Maria de Fátima Manso on Monday.
According to the family, the cost of repatriation is around 5,000 euros, equivalent to approximately 350,000 meticais. While awaiting an institutional solution, relatives and friends have launched a solidarity campaign on social media to raise funds.
“We are asking for support and people of goodwill have begun to contribute. But we are still trying to raise the amount needed so that she can return to the country. Two weeks have already passed and the amount required remains very high,” explained the mother.
The body of Helda Muianga is at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Coimbra. Repatriation will depend on support from the Mozambican state or on the solidarity of citizens and institutions of goodwill.
Source: O País
