Several countries in southeast Africa are still trying to recover from the effects of Cyclone Idai, which hit earlier this year.

Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe saw some of the worst destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure when the storm hit in mid-March.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has been working with several partners in that region to assist with the humanitarian crisis.

Jim Cornelius, Executive Director for the Foodgrains Bank, returned from a recent trip to Malawi where he was able to see firsthand how their relief efforts were working.

"One of the things that really struck me in visiting a number of households was how much they appreciated the aid that had come in, and not just because they needed the food, but it was one thing that kind of took the stress off them in the short term while they tried to figure out if their homes needed repairs. All of those stress issues that households face, on top of not being able to feed your kids, make people feel abandoned. So, by having food ... they could then psychologically begin to prepare for recovery."

Considered one of the worst tropical storms in the Southern Hemisphere, the cyclone destroyed roads and structures, affecting more than 2.6 million people.

The cyclone brought strong winds and caused severe flooding in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, leaving at least 1,300 people dead with many more missing.

"It reminded me why we have a bank system. People have confidence in us. Our growing projects and others make donations deposited in the bank well before a crisis happens, so that when a crisis does come we're able to respond relatively quickly. We don't have to wait for an appeal to go out to see how much money people might donate to a crisis. We can start committing funds very early on."

According to Cornelius, the Foodgrains Bank used three sources of funding in responding to the crisis in Malawi which ultimately provided its partners with a substantial response.

"I left feeling good about what was being achieved with the resources that went in there ... and in helping these communities to manage these types of events."

Cyclone Idai devastated crops and homes in southern Malawi.

A village resident shows how high the water was when this small creek flooded.

Jim and Kalisto Rular who received food through Presbyterian World Service & Development after his crops and house were destroyed by Cyclone Idai.