The humanitarian crisis in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe continues to unfold in the aftermath of the flooding and destruction caused by Cyclone Idai. The Cyclone made landfall near Beira, Mozambique March 14th and 15th as a category 2 storm, with sustained winds reaching nearly 170 kilometers per hour. Heavy rains before, during and after the storm have caused severe flooding across the region.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), along with aid agencies and governments around the world, are now mobilizing and responding to the estimated 3 million people in need, about half of them children according to the latest figures from World Vision.

Morning Show Co-Host Chris Sumner spoke with Executive Director Jim Cornelius about that response to what is now the strongest cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere, and we began the conversation with him describing the scene on the ground.

 

 

Jim also spoke with Chris about how the CFGB is getting ready to scale up its efforts in the region, and what it will specifically be focusing on in the weeks to come.

 

 

The CFGB recently made the decision to join the Humanitarian Coalition after being invited to participate. It’s a united effort of leading Canadian aid agencies, including OXFAM Canada, CARE, Save the Children and Plan International. Chris asked Jim how it will make it easier for all Canadians to help those in need, not only in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, but after future disasters.

 

 

And you can donate right now at together.ca .

The Government of Canada will match donations from individual Canadians to the Cyclone Idai appeal of the Humanitarian Coalition which the Foodgrains Bank is now part. The Foodgrains Bank’s share of the matched funds will be used to scale up the efforts of its members, and their partners, to help survivors in the coming weeks and months. The match is retroactive to March 15th, and runs until April 14th.