Note: The following appeal is now closed. You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross
Since December, devastating cyclones have caused widespread damage across Eastern Africa. The active cyclone season is hitting Madagascar and Mozambique hard – especially those communities already struggling to cope with recent flooding.
According to local officials severe weather has displaced more than 300,000 and affected over half a million people across both countries. In addition, storms have destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of valuable farm land.
Hundreds of local Red Cross staff and volunteers are distributing relief items from disaster preparedness centres and dispatching local first aid and medical teams.
The Canadian Red Cross is appealing to the public to generously support the overwhelming humanitarian needs in affected communities, as a result of the active cyclone season. Funds raised will be used to provide much-needed relief supplies to communities. After the immediate needs have been met, Red Cross recovery projects will help assist those whose homes and livelihoods have been washed away by the cyclones.
Canadian Red Cross: at work in the area for seven years
The Canadian Red Cross has been supporting disaster response and preparedness, capacity building and health initiatives in the region for the last seven years.
Following severe flooding in Mozambique in 2000 the Canadian Red Cross contributed to emergency relief efforts and, since then, has focussed on helping the country ramp up its capacity for disaster response and preparedness and health programming.
The Canadian Red Cross is also working closely with the Malagasy Red Cross, on community-based risk reduction, disaster preparedness and capacity building activities.
In addition, the Canadian Red Cross has also worked closely with both national societies and international partners to distribute over one million insecticide treated nets in the region to help prevent malaria.
Canadians are urged to help ease the suffering of this humanitarian crisis. Those wishing to support relief and recovery activities are encouraged to contribute by donating online, calling 1-800-418-1111 or contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Eastern Africa Cyclone” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.