Scottish actor Graham McTavish, who has starred in The Hobbit, Outlander and Preacher, is appealing to Scots to help those affected by Cyclone Idai in a new video campaign.
Scotland has already responded generously to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal which launched on Thursday, bringing together leading aid organisations to help those in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Hundreds of people have been killed and an estimated 2.6 million have been affected by what the UN has predicted may become one of the worst weather-related disasters in the southern hemisphere.
With little clean water available, cholera cases have been reported and there is a high risk of outbreaks of other waterborne diseases.
DEC member charities are working closely with national partners to support the rescue and relief effort, delivering clean water, emergency shelter materials and blankets, food such as pulses and maize flour, and urgent health assistance.
In the new video, the star calls on people across Scotland to be “proud global citizens” people must “stand by your international brothers and sisters”.
Graham McTavish said: “Imagine your home or your business, your pride and joy, swept away in seconds in storm force winds or by raging flood water. Imagine losing a family member or a friend this way. That’s what hundreds of thousands of people are dealing with right now in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in the wake of Cyclone Idai.
“So many people need your help, and you can help by sending a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
“We know the people of Scotland are proud global citizens, always generous and whilst this disaster is a long way away, we know you will stand by your international brothers and sisters as they struggle to recover from this disaster and try to rebuild their lives.”
The appeal has already received cross party support at the Scottish Parliament, led by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. Over the weekend the Scottish Government gave the appeal another boost by releasing £100,000 to support relief efforts
Sally Foster-Fulton, Chair of the DEC appeal in Scotland and Head of Christian Aid Scotland, said: “It can be easy to feel helpless when hearing of a disaster of this scale, but Scots can take action to help now.
“Already, Scotland has shown great generosity to our brothers and sisters in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, and with this new appeal video from Graham we are hoping that even more people donate to the aid effort, by visiting dec.org.uk or calling 0370 60 60 610.”
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