South Africans raising funds to aid Cyclone survivors with safe drinking water

Drought Groundwater Cyclone Day Zero Water Bucket

Photo Credit: On File

South African Rotary clubs are joining forces to make the most significant impact in the lives of those affected by Cyclone Idai, this is how to get involved.

South Africa – Rotary clubs from across South Africa have joined forces to ensure that the people of Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have safe drinking water after the Cyclone Idai.

Cyclone Idai has left over 1 million people displaced and at risk of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid due to contaminated drinking water. The hope is to raise funds towards providing water filters which can serve a family of four.

A BackaBuddy crowdfund has been launched so that the public can get involved in helping the people who were affected by the cyclone. Not only have the public got a chance to lend a helping hand, but five Rotary clubs have also pledged much-needed funds to the cause.

Kromboom Rotary has pledged R2 500.00, Hout Bay Rotary has pledged R5 000.00, the Waterfront Rotary club has pledged R7 800.00, the Rotary Safe Water Fund has pledged R17 000.00, and the Luderitz Rotary pledged R10 000.00. This will go a long way to the final goal of R200,000.00.

The money raised is being used to send a consignment of water filters to some of the worst affected areas in Zimbabwe. A water filter for a family of 4 costs only R600.00. This means over 300 families will receive the tools to prevent drinking contaminated water.

“In addition, we will be sending basic medical supplies for which there is a desperate need. These include surgical gloves, bandages, syringes, plasters and sutures to ensure that the wounded can be attended to. Hospitals and medical facilities are struggling to cope thanks to a lack of basic equipment.”

The first truckload of water filters is leaving South Africa on the 26th of March. The truck will be heading out to Zimbabwe and will distribute 65 water filters. Sixty-five water filters can purify up to 1.5 million litres of water.

Starting 1 April, The Rotary Foundation will begin to accept contributions to the recently established Disaster Response Fund. This will be an unrestricted fund where contributions in support of disaster response efforts will be pooled together and disbursed to districts requesting assistance through a Disaster Response Grant.

Contributions to the Rotary Disaster Response Fund can be made online by visiting www.rotary.org/donate. At that time, the impacted district(s) will be able to apply for Disaster Response Grants from The Rotary Foundation.

Information about the new Disaster Response Grant will be available on www.rotary.org/grants.

As Rotary International learns new information and opportunities to support communities impacted by Cyclone Idai, information will be shared onwww.rotary.org/disaster-response.

If you would like to contribute, you can do so here.

UPDATE: Their goal was reached within just four days, you can continue to support, check out the update here.