May 18, 2001

Dear Friends,

As most are aware, floods in the past few months have devastated the lives of many in our country, particularly in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts. (REF : Floods bring misery to southern Malawi)

Although the emergency phase of flood relief efforts is nearing an end, there is a lot of rehabilitative work to be done. Aid workers are particularly concerned about the long-term effects of the floods. Crops have been lost, latrines destroyed and wells contaminated, leaving victims without access to safe water and food supplies. Fear also looms over the possible deaths that may result from flood-related diseases, such as cholera and malaria.

MWA informally started a fund raising drive in late March to aid victims of this natural disaster. To date we have raised over $400.00, and appreciate the support we have received thus far; however, more is needed to assist with the rehabilitative phase of relief efforts. We are collecting monetary donations which will be channeled through the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). They will continue to update us on the progress of relief efforts and will formally acknowledge MWA's contribution. (The IFRC does not receive non-monetary donations.)

Additionally, we have also been in touch with the Malawi Red Cross Society, who will be happy to receive any second-hand clothes, blankets, medicines and maize, as well as vegetable seeds for dry planting. We are working on the logistics of transporting these non-monetary donations to Malawi and will keep you posted very soon. In the interim, if you would to make a monetary donation towards flood relief efforts, please make your check out to the "Malawi Washington Association" and write FLOOD RELIEF on the memo line. Our mailing address is:

  Malawi Washington Association
  11228 Georgia Avenue, Suite #4
  Silver Spring, MD 20902.

For more information visit the International Federation of Red Cross site at http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/01/030702/

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

MWA Executive Committee