In mid-March, Cyclone Idai struck east and southern Africa. A second storm, Cyclone Kenneth, followed just six weeks later. Over three million people were affected in Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. More than 1,000 people died in the strong winds and floods, and tens of thousands lost their homes.
But thanks to the kindness of people like you, we were one of the first organisations on the ground. We set up health clinics and temporary learning spaces, helping children like Faizal come to terms with the horror of what they’d just been through. Our teams distributed food items such as soya beans and salt, as well as thousands of litres of cooking oil. Tarpaulins gave families temporary shelter.
We supplied water, soap, toilets, medicines and mosquito nets so people could keep clean and reduce their risk of diseases, such as cholera and malaria.
Amid the destruction and confusion of the cyclones, we helped to reunite many boys and girls with their parents.
79,832 children like Faizal helped in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Kenneth and Idai destroyed thousands of acres of crops, just as they were about to be harvested. But because of your donations we were able to provide seeds and tools to make sure farmers could replant in time for a second growing season. This swift action will prevent many food shortages and make families self sufficient, once again.
Our staff worked tirelessly to achieve all this, despite transport networks, phone connections and sanitation systems all being badly damaged. It will take several years for the affected nations to rebuild the villages, health centres and roads they have lost. Vital new agricultural and environmental projects to reduce the impact of cyclones and flooding, such as reforestation and flood-resistant crops, will take a long time to be established too.
“But the strength and resilience of families and children in Mozambique is spectacular and inspiring,” says Gillian.
And with your support, we are helping all the countries hit by the storms create sustainable, long-term models for development that will bring optimism and positive change following disaster.
*Name changed to protect identity
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