Friends and Rotarians,
Our team is in Malawi working to support families after Cyclone Idai devasted parts of Southern African countries of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The crisis is getting worse. It’s still raining, and floodwaters will continue to rise for at least a week. Authorities are also concerned about possible Cholera outbreaks from dirty water. ShelterBox is ready to support families with emergency shelter and other essential items.
There are tens of thousands of families with nowhere to call home – with your support, we can help more people. We expect support may include emergency ShelterKits so families can repair or create shelter, as well as water filters and mosquito nets so families can protect themselves from diseases. Right now, we are talking to local partners in all the countries affected to understand how we can help. As Rotary International’s project partner for disaster relief, we’re in close contact with the District Governor for Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We're also in contact with Habitat for Humanity, who are talking to affected families in Malawi. Our operations team is watching other weather systems building in the region, which could cause further damage.
Rotary partnership in action
Our team will be meeting with the District Governor (Hutch Mthinda) on Friday evening to discuss plans. The team will then be reconnecting with Rotarians who assisted us in 2015.
Rotary District 9210 is the most affected, covering Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. District Governor Hutchson Mthinda is in close contact with ShelterBox and has been providing local updates. We have been closely monitoring the impact of the flooding and cyclone across the whole region, which has also affected Rotary District 9400, which covers some of South Africa, Botswana and, crucially, Maputo in southern Mozambique. We are in regular contact with Past President Bruno Maximiano do Amaral of the Rotary club of Polana in Maputo, who has worked with our teams previously and is ready to offer assistance if required.
Your help is appreciated. Visit www.shelterboxusa.org/cyclone-idai for more info, Thank you.
Bill Tobin
Rotary Relations Manager, ShelterBox USA
Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills CA. D5180
7359 Merchant Court, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240
p: 916-616-6973 | f: 941-907-6970