In the night of 15th to 16th of March 2019, the cyclone Idai hit with wind gusts of up to 160 km/h on the Mozambican coastal town of Beira. The storm, with its accompanying tide and heavy rains, has devastated an estimated 90% of the port city of Beira, as well as large parts of the interior, Zimbabwe and Malawi. About 2.8 million people, half of them children, are affected by this disaster and threatened in their existence.

The Christian Community of Sant'Egidio runs an HIV treatment center and a nutrition center for children as part of its DREAM program (Disease Relief through Excellent and Advanced Means) in Mozambique. Storm Idai has also flown away roofs in the Sant'Egidio center, destroying the laboratory, offices and storage facilities. Nevertheless, the Sant'Egidio community has started to provide emergency assistance immediately after the storm. Food, clothing, blankets and medicines and other supplies were distributed to alleviate the most pressing need.

The GAUFF Foundation supports this remarkable commitment of the Sant'Egidio community with a donation of 10,000,-- Euro.