Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting Anglican partner organizations in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe in response to the damage done by Cyclone Idai.
According to the UN, Cyclone Idai has caused one of the worst weather-related emergencies in Africa. It affected at least three million people, destroying homes and infrastructure such as roads and bridges making rescue and aid difficult. As the water slowly begins to recede in some areas, cholera and malaria have become a growing concern.
In Mozambique, Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Anglican dioceses of Lebombo and Niassa in a long-term response to meet needs in affected communities.
The Diocese of Lebombo has created a regional development office in response to immense destruction in the city of Beira. It will coordinate with local government and other humanitarian agencies to promote a collaborative approach to the response.
The regional office will serve as a hub for the diocesan outreach that may continue for several months. As initial emergency work ends and relief organizations move on to other crises, the church will remain with the impacted communities and support long-term efforts.
The diocese is focused on support for schools, water, and sanitation support, particularly as it affects vulnerable children and their families. In the Diocese of Niassa, church partners are providing hygiene, nutrition, and agricultural support for at least 1,000 families in the provinces of Zambezia, Niassa, and Tete.
Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting partners’ national offices in Malawi and Zimbabwe as they provide immediate assistance and develop long-term strategies for disaster response.
In the short term, the Anglican Council of Malawi is responding with food, blankets, cooking utensils, and other emergency supplies. Anglican Relief & Development of Zimbabwe is coordinating a response that provides relief kits of food, water, soap, medicines, and temporary shelter.
“Episcopal Relief & Development is working very closely with our partner organizations to support an immediate response to the cyclone and to accompany them with as-needed capacity support as they build disaster preparedness and resilience for the future,” said Nagulan Nesiah, senior program officer.
Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to the crisis.
Adapted from Episcopal Relief & Development
Matthew Townsend is the former news editor of The Living Church and former editor of the Anglican Journal. He lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
