Roger Federer Foundation Helps Victims of Cyclone Idai

The Roger Federer Foundation’s work in Malawi to educate children has pivoted to provide critical assistance to thousands of people displaced by the recent Cyclone Idai that killed more than 600 people in Southern Africa.  As the floodwaters have started to recede, the death toll across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi is expected to continue to grow.

“Cyclone Idai is a unbelievable disaster,” Federer said. “And it hit the most vulnerable ones in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It will take years for people to recover. My thoughts and solidarity are with the thousands of displaced people and families who lost their loved ones.”

The most affected District is Nsanje in the south of Malawi, an underdeveloped country in which nearly 70 percent of its 17 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. All of the Foundation’s six model preschools have been converted to evacuation centres. More than 9000 families in the district have been displaced, including 77 of the Foundation’s kindergarten teachers.

The Foundation’s satellite centres, which are not robust structures like the model centres, have not fared so well. Many have collapsed or need significant repairs before children can resume classes.

The most urgent need is to provide safe water and sanitation facilities to affected families in order to prevent an epidemic.

Help the Roger Federer Foundation and other relevant organisations in the disaster region to rebuild facilities and provide relief to typhoon victims by donating now.

Roger Federer Foundation

World Food Programme

UNICEF