News / Press Releases

Humanity & Inclusion has launched an emergency appeal to support Mozambicans impacted by Cyclone Idai's destructive winds, rain, and flooding. The donation appeal went live on Tuesday March 19, and can be found here: www.hi-us.org/mozcyclone

First images show destruction

After being cut off from all communication for most of the weekend, the first images and reports arriving from Beira, the Mozambican city devastated by Cyclone Idai, showed that more than 100,000 people are displaced from their homes, and the storm may have claimed 1,000 lives.

Humanity & Inclusion’s staff and their families based in Beira are safe.

We do not yet have accurate information from surrounding rural areas and are extremely concerned for the welfare of people who have not yet been reached.

Humanity & Inclusion’s logistics expert, Fabrice Renoux, is joining the team in Mozambique to assess how Humanity & Inclusion can best contribute to the emergency response. He explained the situation before leaving for Beira: “once on the ground, we will be able to gather information in order to find out where the most vulnerable people are and what they most urgently need.

"My role is to identify gaps in the infrastructure, for example blocked or destroyed roads, and to problem-solve in order to facilitate the work of all humanitarian organizations as they try to respond as rapidly as possible.”  

Including the most vulnerable in emergency response

Humanity & Inclusion plans to provide logistics support and to ensure that the emergency response is inclusive– meaning that people with disabilities, older people, and other vulnerable have access to essential and appropriate support. 

Following an evaluation of the needs, Humanity & Inclusion's actions may include:

• Direct food assistance including nutritional treatment for malnourished children
• Provision of water treatment and hygiene promotion
• Shelter and non-food items (kitchen kits, hygiene kits, agricultural tools)
• Protecting the most vulnerable

Humanity & Inclusion in Mozambique

Humanity & Inclusion has been working in Mozambique since 1986. Currently, our teams are working to promote the rights and social participation of people with disabilities, support civil society to improve the social inclusion of people with disabilities, and prevent the development of disabilities. 

Learn more about our work in Mozambique.

HI's Mozambique Country Director is available for comment on Wednesday March 20.

Contact Mica Bevington to set up an interview on [email protected]

Photo: A family in Beira, Mozambique, surveys the damage around their home, following Cyclone Idai.