Shop
Cocoricoo - the women’s football team of Beira, the Mozambican city devastated by Cyclone Idai when it hit the East African coast on 14 March - has lent its pitch to Medecins Sans Frontieres and helped set up a new cholera treatment centre.
Using the hashtag #ForzaCocoricoo, members of Roma Women have shown their support for the players in Beira on social media - and encouraged them as they assist in the doctors' efforts to control the outbreak.
"It's been a beautiful example of teamwork," said Gabriele Santi, co-ordinator of MSF in Beira.
"Many of the players immediately lent their support. They worked together to give us a huge hand in building the treatment centre - even if it meant taking away their football pitch for a while."
"The cyclone was stronger than anyone could have expected. It destroyed almost everything," said Silvia Emilia Augusto, one of the Beira players.
"Now we are pleased to be able to help, to be part of this effort. Myself and my teammates are learning a lot."
The Mozambique government declared a cholera outbreak on 27 March after fresh cases of the disease were discovered in Chingussura, on the outskirts of Beira.
For over a week MSF helped the Ministry of Health to treat patients at the local health facilities but as the number of cases rose the emergency services became overwhelmed, with a subsequent effect on other patients needing care.
That led to the need for a new treatment centre, with Cocoricoo stepping in to offer their assistance.
In just a few minutes, Cyclone Idai and floods wreaked death and destruction on the people of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Medicins Sans Frontieres has sent humanitarian workers, qualified medical staff and logisticians to the areas hit by the cyclone.
You can find out the latest updates on the Cyclone Idai emergency aid work at www.msf.org/mozambique.
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
