SCOTTISH actor Graham McTavish will today appeal to Scots to help those affected by Cyclone Idai in a new video campaign by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The cyclone has killed
700 people and an estimated 2.6 million people have been affected by what the UN has predicted may become one of the worst weather-related disasters in the southern hemisphere. Cholera outbreaks have been reported.
McTavish, who starred in The Hobbit and Outlander, calls on the people of Scotland to be “proud global citizens” and “stand by your international brothers and sisters”.
He 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.”
The DEC brings together leading aid organisations, and has received cross party support at Holyrood, led by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish Government released £100,000 to support relief efforts.
Sally Foster-Fulton, chair of the DEC appeal in 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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