Cyclone Idai response update

It has been more than two months since Cyclone Idai hit southern Africa. It left more than 800 people dead and almost 3 million needing emergency aid. Tearfund and our partners have been responding in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, distributing much-needed supplies. 

In Mozambique, Tearfund’s partner Kubatsirana has been giving out essential items for 500 families in Manica province. These included food, water purification tablets, soap, mosquito nets and blankets, as well as seeds and tools for farming.

Melissa Daley is Tearfund’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Mozambique. She shares some of her experiences as she joined up with the partner team.

‘As we made the 200km drive to the communities, you could see out of the window the hectares of crops that had been completely destroyed because of flooding from the cyclone. 

‘We were greeted by staff from Kubatsirana who were starting the distribution. A few yards away, under a large tree, women, children and men began to gather – seeking shade from the hot sun as they waited.

‘The chief of the village explained how they were able to provide much-needed assistance because of the funding from Tearfund’s appeal.

Heavy toll
‘During the distribution I spoke with the community secretary. She explained how many of the women here had lost friends and family during the cyclone’s floods. They couldn’t get to higher ground and were washed away. 

‘People also lost their land and crops. But she said there was a sense of hope, especially now that aid agencies such as Tearfund were supporting them.

‘I watched people carry away what they had received from the partner and glimpsed smiles and hope in their eyes. I saw the staff from Kubatsirana work hard under the hot sun until every person on the list had received help.’

Thank you so much to those of you who have given to our Cyclone Idai Appeal. If you would still like to donate, please visit our appeal page.

PLEASE PRAY:

Father God,
Thank you for your mercy. Please help all those who have been affected by Cyclone Idai across Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Thank you for the generous outpouring of support for Tearfund’s appeal, and for the life-changing impact it’s having. Be with Tearfund’s staff and partners, and help them stay safe and effective in reaching the most vulnerable with aid.

In Jesus’ name, amen.