Shropshire woman helping Cyclone Idai victims

Tropical Cyclone Idai hit mainland port city Beira, in Mozambique, on March 14 killing hundreds of people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Clare Wearden, director at Village Water, a small safe water charity based in Shrewsbury was already in the south east African country on a planned visit when the cyclone struck.

She has now started helping the relief efforts in Chimoio.

"There are 1,600 people camping in three schools in Chimoio," she said. "Within 2km of the town things are even worse, people are still in the trees and roads and bridges have been swept away.

“Families there are in desperate need of food, water, sanitary products, shelter and medicine. Due to the cramped camp conditions, flood waters and continuing rain, the risks of deadly waterborne diseases like cholera are increasing, so getting these items out to families now is essential.”

Camps

Although the cyclone hit a week ago, aid agencies are warning that the disaster is getting worse, according to Clare.

Until further notice all donations to Village Water will support the relief efforts in Mozambique.

Clare added: “Our local partners are here and ready to help those most in need. With your support they can work with the state emergency departments and other aid agencies to get bottled water, water purification tablets and hygiene products to families living in makeshift camps, who have lost everything."

Once it is safe to do so the charity will repair community water points that have been washed away by the cyclone.

Their partners will also provide hygiene education sessions that teach people how to prevent diseases and how to stop them spreading,.

To support the appeal visit villagewater.org/emergency-appeal-mozambique-cyclone-idai-donate/