CMV raises money for southern Africa in wake of cyclone

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has raised money to support humanitarian efforts in the wake of Cyclone Idai, which struck Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe on March 14. The cyclone submerged around 835 square miles of land, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

CMV’s ship Astor visited Maputo in the largely unaffected south of Mozambique on March 24. Passengers were invited to make a contribution to the aid and relief programme. CMV got the ball rolling with a sizeable donation and then matched pound for pound the donations received on board, raising £7,576 in total.

Relief efforts are focused in the flooded northern Beira coastal region, where thousands have been left without food, clean water or shelter.

Chris Coates, commercial director at CMV, said: “CMV has chosen to donate to the UK-based DEC (Disaster Emergency Committee), an umbrella emergency relief charity supporting 14 UK aid charities including Christian Aid, Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Oxfam. This appeal has been well supported by passengers raising thousands of pounds to help the people of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe at this difficult time.”

Astor is on a 43-night northbound voyage from Australia to the UK with 552 passengers on board.

To make a donation to the relief fund, visit the Disaster Emergency Committee website.