The UN have called Cyclone Idai, which has affected hundreds of thousands of people across Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, the worst natural disaster in Southern African history.

In Zimbabwe, it is reported that 98 people have sadly lost their lives, with numbers expected to rise. Thousands of people have also been displaced, the little that they had has been washed away. We can report that all children who are supported by CBF are safe, despite widespread destruction.

We are receiving constant updates from our team on the ground, who are working tirelessly to get their communities back on their feet.

As usual, the community spirit is overwhelming; individuals, companies, churches and community leaders have been donating food, blankets, water and other provisions as well as their time in order to get everyone back on their feet as soon as possible.

CBF team leader in Mutare, Uncle Dean Matondo, has been out early every morning helping to make up relief packs from the donations along with students from Hillcrest School, but donations are quickly running out.

We are now raising money to continue this relief work in the communities worst affected across Zimbabwe. Our goal is £10,000, so please give whatever you can to help those in need. To put your donation into perspective, this is what the money could buy:

£1 feeds 1 person for 1 week- with food not readily available at the moment, we would like to open out our feeding programme to the wider community to ensure no one goes hungry at this hard time.

£5 could feed a family for a whole week.

£10 could buy a coat or jacket to keep someone warm.

£20 could buy a 5kg bag of rice for a family.

£20 could buy a 20kg bag of kapenta fish (dried fish) which doesn't spoil and provides a vital source of protein.

£50 could purchase a warm blanket.

£100 could cover the cost of fuel to transport the packs into the most affected areas.

£250 could purchase farming tools to help get a family back on their feet and earning money.

£1000 could rebuild a home.

£5000 could be enough money to set up a sustainable and income-generating community chicken rearing project, providing a source of income, meat and training in agricultural skills for an entire village.

We have already successfully raised £1000 to rebuild the home of one of our sponsored families, but there are still thousands of families still displaced and there is lots of work to be done.

Please, give what you can and we will provide regular updates with how your money is rebuilding lives. Our team are doing everything they can, but we need to keep the momentum going at this vital point in the disaster relief process.

If you have any questions please contact us on info@creatingbetterfutures.org.uk.

Thank you so much for your incredible support. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to all of those across Southern Africa who have been affected.