It has been only 6 weeks since the Cyclone Idai struck the countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Cyclone left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.
ElectricAid responded with an immediate donation of €30,000 shared amongst GOAL, Oxfam, CBM (Christian Blind Mission), and Concern Worldwide. Who are still working tirelessly on the ground to ensure that the vulnerable communities have the essential basics like food and shelter while they try to assess the damage and rebuild their lives.
Concern Worldwide has been responding to areas in Malawi, providing food and relief items to thousands of affected families as well as providing immediate shelter for up to 5,000 flood-affected households. This response was then extended to areas of Mozambique where they are assisting more than 25,000 people. Concern’s representative Kieran McConville stated, “The story is the same wherever we went – people have lost their homes, their crops are destroyed and they are very hungry.” He then added, “They are waiting for people to help them but most of the help to date has been paltry.”
On the other hand, CBM partnered with local partner Jairos Jiri Association to address food security and rehabilitation for the affected population as well as to increase disability inclusion during relief and recovery operations. A total of 800 households have received food items which has increased food security for the people affected, especially for the families with the children, elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities in areas of Zimbabwe.
While Oxfam is carrying out vital life-saving activities in affected communities to ensure immediate access and means to produce food, and to increase safe access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Distribution of hygiene kits has also commenced. Volunteers are assisting with community engagement to improve knowledge and hygiene practices to reduce the possibility of an outbreak of waterborne diseases.
And GOAL is also working in areas of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi and are continuously providing support to thousands of people by providing emergency aid kits that include essential necessities such as food and shelter.
However, the work is still not done. There are still hundreds of people missing, thousands of people are still displaced in communal sites and alarming cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases are increasing each day. When events like these occur, ElectricAid appeals to its members for support. Over the past 6 weeks, staff and pensioners alike have donated €29,660 which will be released to partners on the ground for longer-term relief and rehabilitation efforts and restore livelihoods of people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Once again, thank you for supporting this Emergency Appeal and responding to this large-scale emergency. It has reached thousands of families and has saved millions of lives.
The campaign remains open, so keep an eye to electricaid.ie for updated news and information and if you would like to make a donation via June’s payroll, please click the link here.
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