The Inertia Contributing Writer
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The Inertia

Two weeks ago, Aussie freesurfer Dion Agius scored a lot more than just good waves on a trip to Mozambique. Agius and company found themselves in the maw of a devastating cyclone.

The roof of their house was blown off. They sought refuge in the basement of the house, where they were lucky enough to survive the episode rattled but unharmed. Unlike the visiting surfers, though, the locals can’t walk away from their destroyed homes and lives.

Cyclone Dineo didn’t get much media coverage, so now Agius is making an effort to help the locals rebuild by way of a GoFundMe campaign that’s already raised more than $4,000 of its $10,000 goal. Despite devastation on the East African nation, the cyclone barely made news in the United States and few headlines abroad.

“The locals of Tofo are some of the most beautiful people I have been lucky enough to meet and they live mostly in tiny wooden huts that didn’t stand a chance against the 180km winds, with most of their houses destroyed,” Agius wrote.

Battered by winds of 80 miles an hour, the nation was beset with torrential rain, flooding and sea surges. The impoverished nation has limited ability to deal with disasters of this magnitude, as disasters in the past have left hundreds dead and fresh water sources tainted, which can lead to the spread of disease, harming residents long after the weather subsides.

“I am yet to see any media in Australia cover this devastating event so I wanted to do what I could to help raise some awareness and help these amazing people get back on their feet.”

In the little under a week that the campaign has been live, more than 70 people have chipped in with funds.

 
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