Cyclone Idai causes loss of life and widespread destruction across Zimbabwe
On March 14th, Cyclone Idai devastated areas of Zimbabwe when it made landfall in neighbouring Mozambique. Flooding in the country has caused loss of life and displacement. At last report, more than 135 people have been counted dead, with over 140 injured and at least 189 missing. The well-being of children in Zimbabwe is at stake.
No sponsor-supported communities have been affected, but World Vision is already on the ground providing immediate assistance, distributing hygiene kits to those in need.
Disasters of this magnitude are especially frightening and traumatic for children and we are working to protect both their physical and psychosocial needs. Children will also be at-risk of hunger, injury and death from the devastating floods. We are monitoring the situation and working with local communities to provide supplies to those impacted. We are also leveraging partnerships with various UN agencies, communities, donors and faith- and community-based organizations to respond to the crisis.
Donate now to help vulnerable children and their families affected by this crisis with life-saving essentials like food, hygiene kits and more. Your gift will also help establish safe spaces for children to meet their physical and emotional needs during this crisis.
For more information, please call us at 1-800-654-2650.
Zimbabwe continues to face extremely high unemployment rates, with a resulting 72 per cent of the population living in poverty. Families often run out of food between harvests and one-third of children are stunted due to malnutrition.
We distribute food to families, support school feeding programs and train health workers to screen children for malnutrition. We equip farmers to grow drought-tolerant grains and use water-conserving farming methods. A contributing factor to food insecurity is high rates of HIV, with 570,000 children in Zimbabwe having lost one or both parents to the virus. We work with communities to stop the spread of HIV and care for orphaned children.