By now many of you may have read about the devastating “record-breaking” longest-lasting tropical cyclone that has caused extensive damage, taking lives, leaving many families without shelter, food, and water in Southern Africa. The situation is critical and highlights the extreme urgencies of loss and damage caused by climate change especially to the global south, widening already existing inequalities. As partners working closely with these communities in Malawi, we would like to call for your support for them in their efforts to rebuild.

Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference in providing much-needed support to those impacted by this disaster. Your help can provide immediate assistance and help these communities get back on their feet. We urge you to donate and join us in standing with those affected by Cyclone Freddy. Thank you for your support.

Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs (CECOWDA) are working directly to help women farmers whose livelihoods have been destroyed, and reaching to rural communities who have yet to receive aid support from large organisations.

They are receiving contributions at https://gofund.me/397ff68f

For more information, contact: Caroline Mvalo, Executive Director cecowdamalawigmail [dot] com (cecowdamalawi[at]gmail[dot]com) +265999954283

Red Cross Malawi are receiving support at Red Cross House, Presidential Way, Area 14, Lilongwe.

Contact details: (265-1) 775 590 or email mrcsredcross [dot] mw (mrcs[at]redcross[dot]mw) / fwashonredcross [dot] mw (fwashon[at]redcross[dot]mw).

Excerpts from email from Thokozani Chimasula, Founder and CEO of Tac-Maz

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the compassion shown to me during these trying moments. Even though I have been affected, I have a shelter and none of my family members have been injured. I am grateful when I look at the many lives lost. I am so much concerned with how the women farmers and their communities have been affected.

The unfortunate thing is that they haven’t received any form of aid to date. Most of the aid is going to the highlighted communities especially those with passable roads. We only managed to get them a few food, clothes and buckets for just a few families. When I visited last Saturday we crossed a river and it was risky and this is the river that the women have to cross to the other side.

The impact will be huge if no effective measures are taken into place. We are still exploring recovery mechanisms as the people are still a shock and during this time their reasoning and choices may be affected.

As for me, my business has been hugely affected as I relied on the same farmers to make consistent supplies to the companies we sell our products to. Our chickens and pigs got affected because of the natural springs that popped out of the coops.  But I find healing in reaching to the less strong and this is keeping me going one day at a time.