Tropical Cyclone Idai has struck most severely Zimbabwe’s Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, and adjoining regions of Mozambique and Malawi, causing unprecedented destruction of life, homes, clinics, schools, businesses, whole neighborhoods, roads, bridges, and crop fields. Hundreds are dead, and thousands are missing and presumed dead. We at CIHA extend our deepest condolences to those affected and would like to appeal to our readers to consider donating to relief efforts. Below, we post a message from the African Studies Association which includes some organizations to consider. We also include a message and link from CIHA contributor Mhoze Chikowero.
We at the African Studies Association are full of sorrow over the massive human toll exacted by Cyclone Idai on the peoples of Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. As we write 750 people across southern Africa have been reported dead; more than a half million people have been displaced by flooding and landslides; and 110,000 people are living in reception camps. Mozambique’s fourth-largest city, Beira, is largely destroyed. Relief efforts coordinated by local and international groups are beginning to have a positive effect, but there are huge challenges ahead.
Members of the African Studies Association may wish to consult this list of aid organisations that are working in the region:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/how-to-help-cyclone-victims-in-mozambique-malawi-and-zimbabwe
Individual members of the African Studies Association have recommended support for the following organisations. The ASA cannot vouch for any of these organisations. If there are additional relief campaigns that ASA members wish to bring to public notice, please contact the secretariat at kathryn@africanstudies.org. We will update this list in response to members’ requests, and the updated list will be available HERE.
https://fundly.com/mozambique-idai-cyclone-call-for-support-peasants-women
And
From Mhoze Chikowero:
The association that I’m working with, the Zimbabwe Musicians’ Union, is not an NGO, but a union that does not draw salaries or stipends from the proceeds they raise. It is my ideal people-to-people engagement that I believe would cut out many of the problems that attend the conventional NGO.
https://www.gofundme.com/cyclone-idai-zimbabwe-relief