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Salvation Army appeals for help for cyclone victims
WEDNESDAY, 3 APRIL, 2019 I For immediate release
The Salvation Army has appealed to the South African public to help it bring relief to cyclone victims in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. PR Secretary for the organisation, Major Carin Holmes, said: “The Salvation Army in these countries have been hard at work bringing relief to those affected by Cyclone Idai. We are devastated to see the lives lost and damage caused to people in our neighbouring countries.”
Major Holmes said that, at this stage, monetary donations are preferable, owing to the difficulty of getting food and blankets from South Africa to Mozambique.
Donations can be made to:
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Braamfontein
Branch code: 251905
Account name: Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal
Account number: 50540087604
Reference: Please give your name and “Cyclone” as a reference.
In Mozambique, The Salvation Army – working in partnership with the Red Cross and other agencies – is providing emergency food packages, including maize, rice, cooking oil and beans, to 500 of the most severely affected families in Beira. This will ensure that two nutritious meals per day are provided for at least 21 days, guarding against malnutrition and ensuring that children are able to continue attending school.
The Zambezi and Tete areas are also being evaluated with a view to providing similar relief supplies.
In Zimbabwe, where a state of emergency has been declared after homes and bridges were swept away, The Salvation Army is coordinating with the government and other agencies to provide assistance in stricken areas in the south and east. The ini)al aim is to provide an initial 167 households with vital supplies of food and other essential items such as blankets.
In Malawi, an ini)al needs assessment is being undertaken by Salvation Army teams. Nearly a million people have been affected according to government es)mates. More than 82 700 people are believed to be displaced, with the Chikawa district particularly badly affected.
Communications links – including roads, electricity and mobile phone networks – remain significantly disrupted by the wind damage and subsequent flooding in many areas. Several rivers have burst their banks and access to clean drinking water has been impaired.
Major Chris Mulryne from The Salvation Army’s London-based International Emergency Services team said: ‘This is an unprecedented disaster for this part of the world. Considering the difficulties faced we are grateful that our teams are on the ground responding effectively to bring relief to those suffering as a result of this disaster.’
ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY
Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Quo Vadis Communications
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
CLICK HERE to e-mail Ruth Coggin
Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
CLICK HERE to e-mail Carin Holmes
