The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.110)

28 An overview of the Cyclone Idai disaster The wrath of Cyclone Idai Cyclone Idai made landfall in central Mozambique on March 15, 2019, reaching wind speeds of up to 175 km per hour, before lashing neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, bringing heavy rains that caused water levels to swell and broke the banks of numerous rivers, resulting in severe flooding and landslides. The affected nations, which have been plagued by a weak economy, lacked the resources to establish adequate disaster prevention and disaster response systems.The ensuing destructionwas monumental, with transportation services and communication lines disrupted, as well as public infrastructure suffering extensive damage. The disaster victims are in dire need of clean water, food and medical supplies. Several regions in Mozambique badly affected by the disaster are facing an agricultural crisis due to the sheer volume of farmland and crops destroyed, raising concerns of food shortages. Tzu Chi’s disaster relief efforts Local volunteers from South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi responded to the post- disaster chaos in a timely manner by initiating large-scale disaster relief efforts. Volunteers stationed across various disaster-stricken areas stepped up to assess the aftermath of the disaster and evaluate the needs of the disaster victims, in addition to distributing basic necessities such as meal packs, water purification agents, eco-friendly quilts and multi-purpose beds. As of April 18, 2019, emergency sustenance packs had been distributed to 8,583 families across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, in addition to 10,945 water purification agents, 2,100 eco-friendly quilts, 68 multi-purpose beds, 4,176 mosquito nets and 2,345 10-kg sacks of rice. Plans are currently underway to deliver emergency sustenance packs to 10,000 affected families in Mozambique by late April, while the distribution of 12,600 eco-friendly quilts from Taiwan is expected to take place in Mozambique and Zimbabwe in May. In Ching’ombe, Malawi, volunteers led locals in constructing brick houses for the disaster victims through the cash-for-work programme. Tzu Chi volunteers worldwide showed their support for the disaster relief efforts by launching a global donation drive that saw contributions from 52 countries/regions around the world, including Malaysia, as of April 18, 2019. Sources: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Mozambique National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC), World Bank, ReliefWeb, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Tzu Chi Foundation Compiled by Ye Zi Hao & Li Xiu Ling Biller code: 8649 Ref-1: I/C no. (with ‘-’) Ref-2: Send Love to Africa UOB acc. no. : 2023031746 Join us in providing relief to Cyclone Idai disaster victims by donating through the above bank account details. Please e-mail the bank-in slip to onlinedonation@tzuchi.my with reference to “ Send Love to Africa ” for receipt issuance. pecial Feature