The following appeal was in the Dunblane Cathedral magazine for April:
The January floods in Malawi devastated large areas, particularly in the South. It was the worst storm to hit the country in over 60 years - four days of continuous rain. “It was like the end of the world” a friend told me.
176 people were killed including more than 20 in the Likhubula community. This rural community has been particularly affected. 80% of the housing, mainly mud huts have collapsed, spring crops washed away, roads, bridges, water and sewage systems badly damaged.
Cholera was a real threat but we were able to quickly repair the damage to these critical systems. Food shortages are now the major problem in rural communities like Likhubula: out of sight out of mind. Our contact in Likhubula has reported that it’s so bad that most people will starve this year. The harvest will be extremely poor as crops were washed away in the storms.
What can we do to help?
The immediate priority is to get food into that community. Mary’s Meals who provide a cup of porridge each day to primary school pupils have confirmed that they would transport food parcels to the village for families along with their regular deliveries to Nansato School.
Having spent £1000 repairing the water system, we only have £3000 in funds enough to feed 120 families for a month. We need though to raise considerably more money to cover the rest of the villagers in the short term and to meet the needs until next year’s harvest ripens. Food shortage will be an issue for the community for the next year.
We are going out to appeal in the next 10 days approaching local newspapers, The Wire, Radio stations and the community in general.
You can give support online by clicking here.
Please can you support this appeal by spreading the word in the town amongst friends and relations and giving generously to a community whose homes have been destroyed, who lack food and are struggling to survive. £25 would provide for a household for a month. If 400 people gave £25 we could make major inroads into the problem. Gift Aiding helps immensely.
Thank you.
