In 2007, Ryan Reynolds and I visited the southern African nation of Malawi. I’ve [blogged about](http://johnaugust.com/africa) that trip and subsequent work on behalf of [FOMO](http://www.fomo.co.uk), a local charity that runs day centers for thousands of orphans in the region.
Here’s a video I shot on the way to church with the kids:
Over the last week, Malawi has been hit with flooding unseen in 40 years. At least 48 people have died, and 70,000 have lost their homes. Kids literally got swept away. According to weather reports, the flooding could [last for weeks](http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/14/malawi-flooding-torrential-rain-mozambique).
Floods are always costly, but in a country that relies so much on subsistence agriculture, floods can be ruinous.
After the rain stops, how much of the crop can be saved? Which infrastructure will survive? We won’t know the full effect of the flooding for months.
In the near term, FOMO is raising money for supplies to help children and vulnerable families already displaced by the flooding. I donated to their [JustGiving campaign](https://www.justgiving.com/Malawi-Floods/), and urge you to do the same.
I’ve worked with FOMO for seven years; I know they’ll get stuff done right. They’ll keep kids safe.
I hope and assume the big international aid agencies will come to Malawi as well. There will be huge challenges in the months ahead, including rebuilding roads and schools and hospitals.
More than anything, I’d urge you to remember that Malawi exists. Because it’s a small, peaceful, landlocked nation in Africa, it’s easy to overlook. But it needs the world’s attention to avoid greater tragedy.