Solwezi, Zambia, Mar 19, 2019 / 14:01 pm
Bishops in Malawi, Mozambique, and elsewhere in Africa are calling for prayers and humanitarian aid following deadly floods and tropical cyclones that have left dozens dead and have displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
Bishop Charles Kasonde of Solwezi, chairman of AMECEA (Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa), in a March 15 statement expressed "profound sadness" over the "tragic effects" of the flooding in the area and called on AMECEA partners "to respond to the cry for humanitarian assistance in whichever way possible."
On behalf of the bishops, Kasonde also expressed "solidarity to all affected families, quick recovery to the injured, (condolences) to the bereaved families and repose for the souls of the departed." Starting in early March, several countries in southeastern Africa were struck with heavy rains which lead to flooding that displaced thousands and killed dozens of people. But the situation worsened when tropical cyclone Idai struck around March 11, exacerbating the flooding. Death toll estimates now range from 150 to 200, with hundreds more missing or injured and at least hundreds of thousands displaced.
The worst-hit area was the city of Beira, Mozambique, the country's fourth-largest with a population of approximately 500,000. The New York Times reported that local aid agencies had said that 90 percent of the city was destroyed by the storm.