Appeal for Emergency Response to the Flood Rains in Angola and Mozambique

From the Chairman of ALMA

Torrential rains in both Angola and Mozambique have caused tens of thousands of people to be displaced in both countries.  Rivers have flooded their banks, thousands of hectares of crops have been destroyed and thousands of homes have been lost. Hundreds of schools, health centres and churches have also been destroyed.

Our brothers and sisters in these our link dioceses are yet again in desperate need.  Bishops Andre, Dinis and Mark have called all their people to pray and fast during this Lenten season for all who are in desperate need and to raise funds for their relief.

I am writing to ask that all congregations in the Diocese of London be invited to join our brothers and sisters in Angola and Mozambique in the spirit and time of fasting, prayer and generosity to those in need.

I am aware that we already have a Diocesan Lent project to help those locked in slavery – but if you can arrange a special collection for Angola and Mozambique at this time of particular tragedy I will be very grateful.  Cheques should be made payable to London Diocesan Fund (ALMA Crisis Appeal) and sent to Peter Southwood, Alma Office, London Diocesan House, 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4AU.

+ Michael Kensington, Chairman of ALMA

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From the Bishop of Lebombo, on 23 February

Mozambique is being hit by two contrasting calamities: floods in the centre and drought in the south. These two calamities have resulted in the destruction of crops for the year, as well as seeds for the coming times. The response consists in providing seeds - so that when floods are gone people can replace crops which have been taken by waters, and when rains come in the south the crops that have dried up completely can be replaced by seeds.

The seeds that are needed at the present moment are, among others: pumpkin, maize, nyemba beans, groundnut, cassava, sweet potatoes. For these we need to assist about 1500 families to which our Church can have access.

These two calamities (floods and drought) call for one answer: seeds

The floods that are affecting the areas near Zambeze River need, in addition to seeds, tents or alternative accommodation, food (beans, cooking oil, maize, sugar, salt, milk and tinned food) blankets, mosquito nets, soap and containers for water.

May God enlighten you as you seek to respond.

The Right Reverend Dinis Salomão Sengulane, Bishop of Lebombo