Bristol Beira Covid-19 Appeal

Urgent - Bristol’s twin city Beira needs help to combat the spread of COVID-19

This appeal will provide 10,000 masks for 2,000 vulnerable families in the informal settlements in Beira. This will mitigate the impact of the coronavirus and help create a longer-term employment and community resource.

Moses Kakanu, Programmes Coordinator, for BLB's partner in Mozambique ADEL, has just reported “face masks are not readily available, a family of five or six must share one mask, exchanging with another family member when they come home – the situation is really dangerous”.

We are seeking to raise £6,000 for this Appeal

What your donations will do

£240 pays for a tailor for 2 months

£225 buys elastic for 5000 masks

£200 buys a sewing machine

£6 pays for a volunteer mask distributor for a day

4.50p buys 50 facemasks

What are we going to do to help?

BLB is planning to recruit three local tailors , purchase three sewing machines and materials to make 10,000 face masks for 2000 vulnerable families. We also seek funds to purchase soap for hand washing providing one bar soap per household

Thereafter, the local partner association will have acquired the skills to start producing the face masks and selling them to the public at a small fee that will raise income for the association.



The people of Beira need our support now.

Beira in Mozambique has been twinned with Bristol, UK, since 1990 via the Bristol Link with Beira (BLB). It has a similar sized population, and like Bristol is a port. Overcrowding, poor healthcare, poverty and the economic situation, means that the impact of Covid-19 in Mozambique could be devastating. 

“The spread of the new coronavirus has recently doubled its numbers. The confirmed cases in Africa shows just how quickly the pandemic is accelerating on the continent”, the World Health Organization said earlier in June. There is additional concern for Mozambique as it has long borders, with six different countries and Beira is a major international port

The impact of COVID 19 on families and children already suffering from the long-term effects of catastrophic floods in 2000 followed by further massive damage from the 2019 Cyclone Idai is horrific. Moses reports that “The country still continues in 'state of emergency', schools remain closed, though there are calls for social distancing but this in reality is not happening. For example, in crowded places like markets, public transport etc. But the rules remain the same; social distancing, washing hands with soap and water and the use of sanitizers

Your donation will save lives

 
Thank you!

Beira's Mayor Daviz Simango meets up with Bristol's Mayor Marvin Rees

Photo credits
Market is from CMB Facebook
Mayor's meeting Bristol City Council


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