THE SITUATION
In early March 2019, severe weather caused flooding in parts of Malawi and Mozambique. This system escalated into tropical cyclone Idai, which hit close to the city of Beira, Mozambique as a Category 3 cyclone on March 14. The storm continued over central Mozambique and into Zimbabwe.
Torrential rains, damaging winds and flooding have affected nearly 3 million people across all three countries. Homes, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. There are fears of substantial loss of life.
It is believed to be the worst cyclone to hit the region.
People impacted by the storm need your help.
CARE'S RESPONSE
CARE is helping survivors in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Our work is focused on meeting urgent needs, while supporting long-term recovery efforts. CARE places a special emphasis on women and girls as they are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis, but also possess great potential to help their community overcome tragedy.
In Mozambique, CARE, as part of an emergency coalition of humanitarian organizations, sent a team of experts with the government of Mozambique to Beira to assess the damage the day after the cyclone. Since then, CARE and its partners have airlifted family-sized tents, buckets and emergency kits to areas that are inaccessible by road. CARE will work with partners to deliver emergency assistance, including tents, plastic sheeting and rope for temporary shelter; and hygiene and family packages containing items such as soap, buckets, mosquito nets, women’s hygiene items, blankets, tarpaulins, and water canisters to reduce risk of disease.
In Malawi, CARE distributed thousands of water containers and packages of plastic roofing sheets for evacuees of the crisis in Malawi. CARE experts have also established 21 protection committees in camps to ensure women and girls are protected from abuse.
In Zimbabwe, CARE has sent assessment teams to affected areas and is preparing to scale up emergency efforts with a focus on clean water, sanitation, shelter, food and livelihoods. CARE has also distributed hygiene kits and other emergency supplies.