Hats off to Volvo AB which, in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Idai, donated R1.5-million to UNICEF (United Nations Children’s’ Fund) relief efforts in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
According to reports, more than 900 people were reported dead in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and hundreds of thousands more were affected and left without sufficient shelter, food and medical care.
Marcus Hörberg, Vice President of Volvo Group Southern Africa, says: “We deeply care about our neighbours in the affected countries and feel humbled that, through this contribution, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of some of the people impacted by Idai.”
According to UNICEF, more than a 1.5 million children were impacted by Cyclone Idai. Many of them lost their homes, schools, hospitals, friends and loved ones.
“We are happy for the confidence AB Volvo has shown in UNICEF’s ability to give relevant support to children affected by an emergency,” says Véronique Lönnerblad, Executive Director of UNICEF Sweden. “Thanks to Volvo’s swift response and generous contribution, the most affected children in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe are receiving lifesaving supplies including food, clean water, school materials and medicines.”
In Malawi, UNICEF provided immediate lifesaving assistance to children and families affected by severe food insecurity and flooding across the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection, education and health (WASH). The response also had a special focus on malnutrition among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, as their needs are expected to increase considerably due to micronutrient deficiencies and food shortages, as well as due to potential disease outbreaks.
In Mozambique, UNICEF’s key priorities were to treat and prevent cholera to ensure water supply was made available in cyclone and flood affected areas. In addition, UNICEF is leading and supporting responses in nutrition, education, child protection and health for children and families that have been impacted.
In Zimbabwe, UNICEF has delivered, among other things, medical supplies, hygiene kits, jerry cans, soap and water treatment tablets to affected areas. Supplies were air-lifted to the hardest-to-reach areas due to damaged roads and bridges. UNICEF continues to respond to the needs of children and families in the areas of health and nutrition, WASH, HIV/ AIDS, education and child protection.
