Here’s your chance to help the victims of Cyclone Idai!

GOAL, an Irish Aid Organisation, has reached out to FOCUS to help it try to find a Jeep (or, we’re sure, a vehicle with similar capability), so that it can reach the victims of Cyclone Idai!

The organisation is a renowned first responder in a crisis and has been operational in Zimbabwe and Malawi since 2002.

“GOAL is continuing to coordinate its emergency response on the ground to reach the communities that need it most,” says Alan Vard of GOAL Ireland.

“The organisation is on the ground now delivering life-saving support. Our teams are responding by providing food, shelter, tents, water-purification chemicals and soap to affected communities and families to address immediate needs,” he says.

“However, without transport, this isn’t possible. GOAL is looking for someone to donate a vehicle to help it reach and get supplies to the people in desperate need,” Vard pleads.

Cyclone Idai has been named as one of the worst tropical cyclones in history and is one of the worst disasters the southern hemisphere has ever experienced. With winds of 170 km/h it swept in from the Indian Ocean destroying land and causing rivers to burst their banks in three sub-Saharan countries.

The cyclone moved from Mozambique into neighbouring Malawi, and continued into Zimbabwe on March 15 and 16.

The areas have suffered widespread destruction to homes, agriculture and infrastructure, including bridges and roads, leaving some communities marooned and in fear for their lives and the security of their families.

Flooding has affected nearly three-million people and caused at least 1 000 deaths in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The likely death toll is much, much higher.

If you can help, contact Alan Vard at avard@gaol.ie.

You can visit GOAL’s website for more details on the organisation.