A GLASGOW charity has issued a plea to the city to help families devastated by floods in Malawi.

 

Spirit Aid founder and actor David Hayman called the deadly floods a "catastrophe" and said communities have been left in devastation.

More than 200 people have been killed, with others feared dead, and 200,000 have been left homeless by torrential rain and flooding in the African country.

Large areas in the south are underwater and homes, crops and livestock have been washed away. The flooding is spreading further, affecting Mozambique.

Spirit Aid's Malawi project feeds around 1500 children every day. It is run by a small group of employees and volunteers.

They have been working in residents in Mphata-Milonde - a bush community with 15,000 people - for nine years.

Mr Hayman said: "The community is devastated. Over 100 houses have been swept away, others are crumbling ruins.

"People are sheltering in schools and churches, the only sold brick buildings around.

"People are still stranded in trees waiting for rescue. We are providing maize, cooking utensils, blankets, mosquito nets, medicine and fresh water. It is a catastrophe."

Project coordinator Olive Nyali, a maths teacher in Milonde High School, said it was the worst storms they had ever seen.

She added: "The storms have destroyed our community and ruined our crops.

"The bridges are down and we can't get to the market or the hospital.

"People are cold, wet and hungry. The children and old people are the worst affected. We are praying for help.

"We won't know how many we have lost until the waters recede. It is the worst storm we have ever had, please help."

They have set up the #€Žmilondeflashfloodappeal€¬ and are asking people in Glasgow to help.

The Spirit Aid project has also set up creches, a building repair programme, training courses and a renewable resources project.

A Spirit Aid spokeswoman said: "100% of donations will be spent on aid. For now, rice and maize are needed.

"This is a humanitarian crisis, we must respond before lives are lost."

How you can help:

€¢ Look up the hashtag #milondeflashfloodappeal on Facebook

€¢ Txt MILA15, choosing an amount eg, £5 to 70070

€¢ Go directly to our fundraisers page https://www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Stewart13/

€¢ Email to enquiries@spiritaid.com