Phala Rotary appeals for donations
Nearly 110 000 people are reported to be in camps.
The Rotary Club of Phalaborwa is appealing for donations in the form of clothing, blankets and non perishable food items to assist the survivors of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique.
The tropical cyclone, which has caused catastrophic damage in multiple nations, made land fall on March 14 in the Sofala Province of Mozambique, destroying 90% of Beira, the fourth largest city.
It has sparked a serious humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands of people said to be in need of urgent assistance across Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
According to preliminary reports the death toll has risen above 762 people, 446 in Mozambique, 259 in Zimbabwe, 56 in Malawi and 1 in Madagascar.
READ: Africa cyclone survivors face ‘ticking bomb’ of disease: Red Cross
Nearly 110 000 people are reported to be in camps. The President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi has stated that more than 1000 people may have died in the storm.
Devastated areas are now bracing themselves for the spread of waterborne diseases such as malaria and cholera.
Other priorities coming in from Rotary in Mozambique are tents for families of 5+, emergency kits, medical supplies and water filters to curb the spread of cholera.
Rotary District 9400, to which South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Botswana belong has already mobilised clubs for donations which will be transported to affected areas.
“Cyclone Idai is recorded as one of the worst tropical cyclones to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole, so please help us make a difference to those affected,” Phalaborwa Rotary Club President, Virnicia Mathebula, appealed to the public as she mentioned that even a small donation is big enough to another person.
She said the Rotary have set up drop-off points at Phalukgale Pharmacy, which is opposite PME, Mabaso Optometry, which is opposite NTT Toyota, and at Dr Mkhabela’s surgery on the main road in Namakgale.
For more information on making donations you may contact 082 885 7639.
