On April 25, 2019, Cyclone Kenneth, the most powerful tropical storm ever to make landfall in Africa, made a direct hit to the region where Water1st’s partner GSB works. Our partner organization staff have checked in safe, but they are scrambling to secure shelter and food for themselves. Their homes are badly damaged and they are taking refuge in shelters. We can only assume that everyone else in the area is experiencing the same displacement.

Communication has been difficult because of the lack of electrical power for charging phones even via solar panel. Flooding has destroyed infrastructure in the region and will make relief efforts complicated.

Water1st is currently assisting GSB staff to get back on their feet so that they can provide emergency support to their neighbors. This is a region of subsistence farmers who have lost their homes and their food supply. We know that water and sanitation will be amongst their primary needs in the coming weeks and months. We will continue to update our Mozambique page with our response to this crisis as we receive further information on their specific needs.