ElectricAid Cyclone Idai Emergency Appeal

The after effects of last week’s Cyclone Idai continue to be felt in the countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The death toll stands at a shocking 750 with outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and malaria expected as first cases of cholera have been confirmed in areas of Mozambique.

We have already received a number of donations towards longer term relief and rehabilitation efforts and are today launching the ElectricAid Cyclone Idai Emergency Appeal where we once again look to the generosity and support of our members to donate to ElectricAid.

Farmer and mother of 3, Emily Zebia (23). She fled her town in Sothern Malawi when the floods took over her village. She is stuck at the Nyachikadza Displacement Camp until these floods subside. She can be seen here with her youngest child Pilirani (9months) outside the tent she shares with 19 other women and children. Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide

Concern staff wade through water logged fields destroyed by flooding. Just 1 month ago, these fields were almost ready to harvest with a rich supply of maize. Now the owners of this field and many others like it, must wait in overcrowded displacement camps on higher ground for months for the waters to subside so that they can start again. Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide

The Nyachikadza Displacement Camp in Malawi is currently occupied 11,000 people and is estimated to increase as many villages are still submerged in water. Concern Worldwide’s team stated that there hasn’t been a food delivery in 6 days and there is less than 20 toilets provided for the entire camp. A single tent is shared with 20 people and many families are separated into different tents at night with the only exception of those that are very sick or very old.

Concern’s Country Director in Malawi, Yousaf Jogezai added; “Concern’s staff on the ground are facing a race against the clock.  The immediate issue is the risk of water-borne disease such as Cholera and diarrhoea in the 173 temporary camps which are accommodating people displaced by flooding, Mr Jogezai explained.  “Many people are sheltering in local schools and churches, which do not have sufficient toilets or bathing facilities for the numbers staying there,” he said.  “This is a very dangerous situation. We need to move quickly to help.”

The full scale of the disaster has yet to become clear and although the conditions remain challenging, aid is getting through. Earlier this week, ElectricAid responded with a donation of €30,000  in emergency funding to Concern Worldwide, GOAL, Oxfam and CBM Ireland. This will fund family kits, emergency food baskets, shelter and provisions.

Please turn your compassion into action. The online appeal donation facility is available below or, if you prefer, please complete and return the deduction at source form. Every donation is important, every Euro counts, and every life matters. Any contribution is welcome, and all funds received will be used exclusively for rehabilitation and recovery in affected areas.

The simplest way of joining in this great work is by completing the form below.

If you prefer, you can also download the forms below and return to ElectricAid, C/O ESB, Gateway Two, East Wall Road, Dublin 3 – the choice is yours!

ElectricAid Cyclone Idai Emergency Appeal Once-Off Deduction Form 2019

Children of the Nyachikadza Displacement Camp. The camp population currently stands at 11,000 and is still growing. Many of the villages are still submerged in water so many camp occupants will be here for a long time. There hasn’t been a food delivery in 6 days and there is less than 20 toilets for the entire camp. They share a handful of pots between them and families are separated into different tents at night. Only the very sick or very old get to share a tent with their family. “What you need to understand is, these people came here with nothing.” Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide

Concern staff with help from the Malawi Defence Forces assess the damage to communities along the river Shire in southern Malawi. This village has been completely submerged. A few local men have come back by canoe to assess the damage for themselves. Communites close to the river could be submerged for many months leaving their occupants stuck in crowded displacement camps until then. Concern are working to bring supplies to these camps. Photo: Gavin Douglas/ Concern Worldwide