The Disasters Emergency Committee has launched its Cyclone Idai fundraising appeal today across the UK.
Major broadcast channels in the UK - the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky – will be broadcasting the appeal to support the DEC’s fundraising.
The DEC is an alliance of the leading aid agencies from the UK and at times of great crises works with broadcasters to maximise fundraising.
It will work with its 14 members, which include Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, British Red Cross, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK, to raise funds and deliver aid.
The UK government, will match donations up to a total of £2m, through the Department for International Development's Aid Match scheme.
400,000 made homeless
The DEC charities will work with national partners to support the relief effort in delivering emergency shelter kits, food, water purification and health assistance to victims of Cyclone Idai.
The cyclone has devastated Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, killing more than 480 people and leaving 400,000 homeless.
Agricultural land is submerged and homes and infrastructure have been destroyed, with around 2.6 million people affected by the disaster.
More heavy rain is predicted and the full scale of the disaster is still being measured as rescue operations continue.
The UN said Cyclone Idai may be one of the worst weather-related disasters on record in the southern hemisphere.
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