We join the global community in sending our thoughts and prayers to the people of the Mozambique and its neighboring countries of Zimbabwe and Malawi, as they were struck by Cyclone Idai last week, displaced separating families and leaving unmeasurable damage in its wake. According to BBC, Al Jazeera, and several other ongoing reports, the storm made landfall near the port city of Beira, Mozambique on Thursday with winds moving up to 177 km/hr (106 mph). UN’s World Wood Programme’s Gerald Bourke told Al Jazeera, “no building is untouched.” The official death toll has reached over 200, with up to 1,000 people still unaccounted for throughout the region. While the destruction and tragedy brought on by Cyclone Idai has crossed international borders, the port city of Beira experienced the worst of the storm; it is estimated that as much as 90 percent of its infrastructure has been destroyed.

Exchange participants and community members come together in a local community village and multiple land use area on the fringe of Gorongosa National Park to share their experiences and learn from each other. February 22, 2019.

Less than 3 weeks ago, the DGM held it’s 10th Learning Exchange in the Sofala Region, which includes the port city of Beira, where we discussed how to enhance the living conditions of communities through the sustainable use of natural resources. Mozambique ranks third on the scale of most climate vulnerable countries in Africa and 70% of the population depends on natural resources, such as forests for their livelihoods. While there, we had the immense fortune of becoming acquainted with the country’s rich landscapes and kind people; we were in awe of the pure beauty and richness of the land, and the strong connection between people and nature. It saddens us to imagine the suffering brought on by Cyclone Idai, and our hearts go out to the people of Mozambique – our friends and partners – during this tragedy.

We invite you to join us in supporting the organizations listed below, who are collecting donations for ongoing relief efforts for cyclone victims in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Each organization explains how they are contributing to relief efforts. If you are unable to donate, we ask that you join us in keeping our brothers and sisters afflicted by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

1. PBS Article Listing Relief Efforts: How to help cyclone victims in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe

2. World Food Programme USA: Support WFP’s Cyclone Disaster Relief Efforts

3. CARE Cyclone Idai Emergency Relief Efforts

4. Gorongosa National Park Relief Fund

5. Save the Children: Cyclone Idai Children’s Relief Fund

6. Humanity & Inclusion: Mozambique Cyclone Idai Emergency

7. IFRC: Mozambique Tropical Cyclone Idai

8. UNICEF USA

Please feel welcome to reach out via Facebook or Twitter if you have any relief efforts you recommend that we should include.

Please note that the DGM is not affiliated with the above listed relief effort organizations. This is not meant to be a complete list, nor an endorsement of these organizations. Please conduct your own due diligence (including as to whether any contributions are tax deductible) before donating to any relief effort organization.

Contributed by: Nathalia Penton, DGM Global Program Coordinator

We Stand with the Victims of Cyclone Idai