DAR ES SALAAM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The government of Tanzania on Tuesday donated relief supplies to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe hit by cyclone Idai.

The relief supplies, including food and medicines, were handed over to respective ambassadors of the three countries to Tanzania by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Palamagamba Kabudi and the Minister for Health, Ummy Mwalimu.

Speaking at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam shortly after he had handed over the donation, Kabudi said the supplies were airlifted to Mozambique and Zimbabwe by army planes.

Kabudi added that seven lorries carrying 200 tonnes of maize had left Mbeya region in southern highlands for Malawi.

Kabudi said President John Magufuli directed relevant authorities to donate the relief supplies to support the three countries during this trying period.

Mwalimu, the Minister for Health, said 24 tonnes of medicines had been delivered to the cyclone-hit countries with each receiving eight tonnes.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said on Monday that the death toll in his country could exceed 1,000.