Response to Cyclone Idai by members of the Clinton Foundation community: How you can help
By: Clinton Foundation
Tags: Mozambique, Malawi, Humanitarian, Zimbabwe, Natural Disasters

Beira, Mozambique, after Cyclone Idai. Credit: Associated Press

Last Thursday, tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall in several countries in Southern Africa, causing widespread flooding and destruction in what the United Nations has called the worst natural disaster to hit the Southern Hemisphere. Passing through Mozambique before moving inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi, the U.N. estimates the storm affected 2.6 million people.

Across the region, at least 215 people have been confirmed dead, with hundreds more missing and thousands at risk due to the severe flooding. A precise death toll is yet to be known as the damage continues to unfold and first responders struggle to access many communities left isolated by the storm.

The Clinton Development Initiative, which works in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Malawi, is assessing the needs of its staff and farmers in the affected regions and standing by to support them. In Malawi, the region was already suffering from heavy rains and flooding before the cyclone hit, which has exacerbated the damage.

Among the organizations mobilizing to address the needs of Cyclone Idai’s victims are members of the Clinton Foundation community. For more information about efforts underway and how you can help, see the following list.

Afya Foundation

Afya Foundation collects medical supplies in the U.S. and distributes them to communities in need and those affected by disaster throughout the world. Afya is working with the Tanzania Peoples Defense Forces to deliver airlifted medical supplies to health care sites in Malawi and Mozambique. You can support Afya Foundation’s response to Cyclone Idai through their website.

Airlink

Airlink, a humanitarian relief organization that connects airlines with NGOs to assist communities in crisis worldwide, is working with NGO and airline partners to support Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. You can help Airlink transport relief workers and emergency supplies to provide clean water, repair shelters, give medical care to survivors, and provide other critical assistance through their website.

Americares

Americares, a global health organization, has deployed emergency response experts to Mozambique to assess health needs, work with national and local organizations responding to the crisis, and coordinate emergency shipments of medicine and relief supplies for Cyclone Idai survivors. You can learn more and help them provide healthcare essentials such as antibiotics, wound care supplies, hygiene products, and medicine to treat survivors, through their website.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief, a nonprofit dedicated to saving lives of people affected by emergencies, is preparing a shipment of emergency medicine, medical supplies, and hygiene items to Mozambique. They are also coordinating with local partners in Mozambique to make emergency medicines and medical supplies available to local health care providers and authorities. You can help them respond to Cyclone Idai through their website.

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps, a humanitarian aid organization that provides emergency medical services and healthcare training programs, is deploying experts to the region to expand support for health and medical needs. You can help them gain access to some of the most affected areas and identify the best ways to help families in need through their website.

Partners in Health

Partners in Health, a Boston-based health care nonprofit, is assessing damage and working on the ground in Malawi to rebuild homes, deploy mobile clinics, and ensure families are safe, housed, and fed. You can help PIH provide staff and residents with food, mosquito nets, and supplies to rebuild homes through their website.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters, has established #ChefsForMozambique in a Beira, Mozambique, banquet hall. To help World Central Kitchen continue to provide hot meals to impacted communities in Mozambique, learn more through their website.

World Vision International

World Vision International, a humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy organization, has helped more than 200 flood-affected families in Malawi by providing relief packages to those in urgent need of food, water, and shelter. World Vision is also on the ground in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, prioritizing orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children. World Vision is taking donations at the Cyclone Idai Appeal to help bring supplies and shelter to affected children and communities.