AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - The Bishops express their solidarity with the victims of the floods

Monday, 2 May 2022 bishops natural disasters solidarity

MOZAMBIQUE

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Maputo (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Mozambique have expressed their solidarity with the victims of the violent floods that last month affected some countries in southern Africa. "During the recent rainy season, floods and strong winds have again devastated the lives of thousands of people in large areas of the center-north of the country" say the bishops in their message published at the end of the Plenary Assembly of the Conference Episcopal Church of Mozambique (CEM), held at the Major Seminary of Santo Agostinho da Matola from April 26 to 29, 2022.
"Several dozen people have lost their lives; hundreds of families have been left homeless, losing their properties and their fields. Communication routes, schools, health centers and many other social structures, including those of the Catholic Church, have been damaged", underlines the document sent to Agenzia Fides. According to official estimates, some 3,000 people have been directly affected by the floods. The Catholic Church, the bishops point out, has immediately mobilized "through a charitable action at the parish, diocesan, national and international levels, alleviating the suffering of those who suffer most from these calamities. To the bereaved families we offer our sincere condolences and Christian consolation, and we pray for the souls of the victims of the bad weather".
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 181 out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index, with the majority of its population living on less than a dollar a day. The country has been affected by numerous natural disasters, such as floods, droughts and tropical disturbances. This year alone, Mozambique, along with neighboring countries in southern Africa, has been affected by five cyclones. Another country heavily affected by the latest floods is South Africa, where heavy rains have killed 443 people. The city of Durban has been particularly hard hit, where houses and public buildings such as schools and hospitals have suffered massive damage. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/5/2022)