South African humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has launched a countrywide appeal for help as floods ravage Malawi and Mozambique.
The appeal, made yesterday, comes after 48 people reportedly drowned in Malawi and another 34 in Mozambique. Tens of thousands of others were displaced by rising flood waters.
Gift of the Givers head Dr Imtiaz Sooliman urged people to donate blankets, warm clothing and food. He said for Malawi, the priority was food, blankets, cooking utensils and plastic sheeting.
The SA National Defence Force has already sent the first of its rescue team to Mozambique.
The aim is to get as many people to high ground as possible as flood waters rise.