In March 2019, Cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Strong winds and widespread flooding ripped apart roads, bridges, houses, schools and health facilities and submerged vast swathes of agricultural land. Another major cyclone, Kenneth, followed Idai a few weeks later. Over 3 million people were affected in one of the worst weather-related disasters recorded in Africa’s history. 1,593 people died and 2,452 were injured.

Within a week of Cyclone Idai making landfall, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an emergency appeal asking the UK public for support. A total of £43 million was raised, including £4 million from the UK Government’s Aid Match scheme. This report provides an overview of how funds donated directly to the DEC were spent from March 2019 to March 2021.

Donations to the DEC Idai Appeal allowed member charities to provide tens of thousands of people with food parcels, access to safe water, shelter assistance, hygiene kits, cash to buy essential items and agricultural support to rebuild their livelihoods. DEC funds also helped to provide access to basic health care, rehabilitate schools and raise awareness about gender-based violence.