News & Media

Cyclone Idai has caused widespread flooding, landslides and destruction and left communities in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi in urgent need of life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Here are five things you need to know about Cyclone Idai right now:

A man looks at a washed away bridge along Umvumvu river following Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

1. The full impact has taken a while to hit the news

Communications and infrastructure were very badly affected, making it hard to see the sheer scale of the disaster and level of devastation caused at first.

2. It could become one of the “worst weather-related disasters to ever hit the southern hemisphere”

The exact impact is not yet known and the numbers continue to rise but millions of people have been affected by what the UN’s weather agency is suggesting could be “one of the worst weather-related disasters ever to hit the southern hemisphere.”

More than a thousand people are feared to have died, thousands more are missing and millions of people have been left destitute without food or basic services.

A family dig for their son who got buried in the mud when Cyclone Idai struck. Photo taken in Chimanimani about 600 kilometres south east of Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, March, 19, 2019. Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP/REX

3. It’s a race against time

Oxfam teams and local partner organisations are already on the ground in all three countries and will be responding with clean water, toilet facilities, shelter, clothing, food and other essential items. In some of the most challenging conditions imaginable, Oxfam is  working around the clock to make sure this vital work happens as quickly and effectively as possible. It is a race against time, you can donate to help us save lives right now

4. We’re working with the Disasters Emergency Committee

Oxfam has joined together with other humanitarian aid agencies around the world as part of the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).Oxfam is a founder member of the group, which also includes Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. This will increase the impact of the work that all 13 charities are doing.

5. A longer-term response will take some time to evaluate

With an estimated 2.6 million people affected across the region, Oxfam aims to reach up to 500,000 initially – hopefully more – across the three countries, including in partnership with other international and local NGO partners. In Mozambique, where 2.1 million people are affected, Oxfam is planning to reach people through COSACA (a consortium of Oxfam, Care and Save the Children) as part of a programme to restore several basic social services including access to healthcare, education and water. In Malawi, Oxfam is looking to help 200, 000 people and in Zimbabwe 50,000 people.

More about Oxfam’s response…

Staff and local partners are working in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable, with many areas only accessible by helicopter. But help is getting through and we aim to reach over half a million people.

In Mozambique, we’ve already provided 2,500 people with kits including blankets and sleeping mats, mosquito nets to protect from malaria, buckets for storing water, and canvas and ropes to build shelters. We will also be using mobile water treatment plants to provide clean water and emergency toilets on a huge scale.

In Malawi, where thousands of people were already struggling with drought and poor crops, more than 700,000 have been affected by the cyclone. We’re planning to provide buckets and soap to protect from deadly disease, and preparing to deliver clean, safe water, emergency toilets and cash grants so people can buy food.

In Zimbabwe, 250,000 people have been affected by floods. We’re beginning to provide humanitarian assistance in Chimanimani, one of the worst affected areas. Together with the other DEC members we’re doing everything we can to make sure we get people what they need. If you’ve already donated, thank you so much. But we still urgently need more help.

You can help save lives by donating to Oxfam’s Cyclone Idai appeal now.

Nan Stewardson (centre) during Oxfam Trailwalker 2018. Photo supplied.

Christchurch team “Miles from Malley” are buzzing to once more take on 100 kilometres of scenic Whakātane terrain in March as part of Oxfam Trailwalker 2019.

The team from Malley & Co Lawyers – Michael Mckay, Lani Gerber, Nan Stewardson, and friend Helen Venning – are back for round two after successfully completing the 100 kilometre event in 2018.

The distance may seem intimidating, but Team leader Nan is proof that anybody can succeed with the right attitude, training and support.

As a lifelong runner, Nan chose Oxfam Trailwalker as an alternative way to increase her exercise after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a disorder of the central nervous system which affects the body’s movements, functions, and sensations.

Nan said: “I used to run all the time and then I started falling over because I had relapses. Then I just thought I couldn’t run anymore because I was injuring myself. I needed a challenge and now I have that challenge.

“Oxfam Trailwalker is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done physically, because of my MS, but also the best. Getting across that finish line was amazing.”

The team has been out training hard, determined to prepare themselves mentally and physically for March despite some setbacks.

“So far we’ve got to 37 kilometres and everybody is all geared up and waiting”, said Nan.

“I had a relapse a good eight weeks ago and I couldn’t walk at all for about four weeks. I could walk around normally, but I certainly couldn’t compete and train.

“I’m hoping to be cured by the time the race comes around and even if I’m not, I’m still competing. I’ll drag myself across the finish line if I’ve got to.”

Along with the physical obstacles, Trailwalker is also known to challenge the mind. Support crew and team members prove to be indispensable sources of encouragement when the going gets tough.

“When I was walking the 100 kilometres in 2018, it was a mental challenge as well. You felt like you couldn’t go on, but you just put one foot in front of the other.  You’ve got to have the right mindset to do it and it’s hard and you do want to stop but we’ve trained too much not to do it.”

Aside from the personal challenge, there is also the knowledge that the money raised is going towards helping people living in poverty. The team’s fundraising is going well and as of January 2019, Miles from Malley are nudging the top of the leader board, having almost hit their $5,000 target.

“I think the best fundraiser for us was the quiz night. It’s not that hard to organise actually … We just did up flyers and emails and I think we had 25 teams,” says Nan, who also suggested that garage sales might be the way to go – after one the team held raised an impressive $2,000.

“If people have got reservations, I don’t know how to put it into words other than it was the best thing I’ve ever done., physically and emotionally.

It’s amazing what you can achieve.”

You can visit Miles from Malley’s team page or make a donation here.

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Now in its fifteenth year in New Zealand, Oxfam Trailwalker 2019 will be held over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of March. Teams of passionate walkers and runners will choose to conquer either 50km or 100km of breathtaking Whakātane terrain and in doing so, will be helping Oxfam to fight poverty. If you would like to participate in Oxfam Trailwalker you can find out more information about the event and register at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz