Emergency relief experts from Malteser International are now working closely with the German Technical Relief Agency (THW) to support about 12,000 people affected by Cyclone Idai in Nhangau, a village located 15 kilometers from Beira, Mozambique.
While the THW has set up a water treatment plant in the village, Malteser International is providing support by training 45 members of the community on the prevention of water-borne diseases like cholera.
According to Dr. Solomon Razafindratandra, who is coordinating Malteser International’s response in Mozambique, Malteser International and THW are the only aid organizations in this district. “Our goal is to prevent the spread diseases like cholera by training these volunteers to become disseminators of knowledge on hygiene. We want the people to be informed about adequate preventive measures. After the training, we will be distributing bicycles to the volunteers so that they can reach as many people as possible,” he said.
“Before our arrival in Mozambique, we had extensive discussions with the THW and agreed on how best our organizations could help. We have now been able to coordinate our joint response to bring rapid aid to those affected by this disaster.”
Malteser International is also readying about 3,000 sets of essential hygiene items to be distributed in the coming week.
Cyclone Idai struck the coastal city of Beira in Mozambique on March 14, causing devastation across the country, and continuing through neighboring Malawi and Zimbabwe. The storm caused widespread flooding, leaving more than 2.6 million people across the three countries devastated and in need of urgent help. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 700 people have died. The first cholera cases have been reported.
Malteser International seeks to provide rapid and effective help in acute crises. With a team of highly experienced professionals coordinates, Malteser International’s aid in the wake of disasters by identifying the needs of the people in the affected area, managing responders on the ground and at regional centers, and taking care of logistics and the supply of essential aid material.
You too can be there for those in need by supporting our Cyclone Idai intervention!
DONATE NOW
Account number: 20 20 270
IBAN: DE74 3706 0193 0002 0202 70
BIC: GENODED1PAX
(Pax Bank Cologne)
Reference: "Emergency Relief for Mozambique - Cyclone Idai"
