Ongoing Response to the Cyclones in Southern Africa

Episcopal Relief & Development Works with Partners on a Long-term Response to Cyclones in Mozambique

Press Release

October 21, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Anglican Alliance and HOPE Africa on a long-term response to Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which struck Mozambique earlier this year. A joint program of the Anglican dioceses of Lebombo, Niassa and Nampula, the response will provide direct support to families who were impacted by the devastating storms.

Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall on March 14, 2019, hitting the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Zambezia, Tete and Inhambane, as well as the neighboring countries of Malawi and Zimbabwe, causing catastrophic damage and displacing thousands of people. According to the United Nations, Cyclone Idai was one of the worst weather-related disasters in the southern hemisphere. Weeks after this disaster, on April 26, Cyclone Kenneth struck the Cabo Delgado area, uprooting thousands more.

In the weeks following the storms, clergy and lay workers from the dioceses of Lebombo, Nampula and Niassa identified communities where no international aid had been received. With the support of Episcopal Relief & Development and other partners, the dioceses provided food, clothes, water purification tablets, hygiene products and other emergency supplies to vulnerable communities.

Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to partner with the dioceses of Lebombo and Niassa on a joint program to help 4,000 families recover from the impact of the cyclones. The dioceses will distribute farming tools and seeds while conducting agricultural training to help families begin to grow their own food and to become resilient against future storms. Staff and volunteers will help with the rebuilding of infrastructure such as houses and schools, and will provide assistance to individuals to have their identity documents and other critical documents reissued. The program will run through 2020.

“Recovery from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth will be a long-term process,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Program Officer for Disaster Response and Risk Reduction. “This program will set the foundation on which to build future resilience efforts while addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable communities.”

Please continue to pray for the communities affected by this crisis as well as the clergy, staff and volunteers in the dioceses of Lebombo, Niassa and Nampula as they continue to respond.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

The Ven. Narciso Langa, Archdeacon of Pungue, the Rt. Rev. Carlos Matsinhe, Bishop of Lebombo and Mr. Leonardo Cossa, Treasurer of the Archdeaconry, visit the parish of St. George in Beira, Mozambique.

Ongoing Response to the Cyclones in Southern Africa

Web Statement

May 21, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to support Anglican partner organizations in southern Africa in response to the cyclones which struck earlier this spring. The UN has called Cyclone Idai, which hit Malawi, Zimbabwe and central Mozambique in March, one of the worst weather-related emergencies in the southern hemisphere. Less than a month after Cyclone Idai, Cyclone Kenneth destroyed property and infrastructure in northern Mozambique with its massive flooding and high winds, displacing approximately 168,000 people and killing 38 people.

In Mozambique, Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Anglican dioceses of Lebombo, Niassa and Nampula who have expanded their initial plans for a long-term response. The response will now offer direct support to 4,000 families in the provinces of Manixa, Sofala, Zambezia, Tete, Niassa and Pemba. Emergency supplies include food, clothing and water purification tablets. The impacted dioceses are also equipping these families with farming tools and seeds. They will conduct trainings to empower the families to grow their own food and to build resilience in their communities. Additionally, the dioceses are assisting with the rebuilding of houses, schools, health centers, churches and other infrastructures.

Episcopal Relief & Development also continues to work with Anglican partners n Malawi and Zimbabwe in providing food, farming supplies, water purification tablets and trauma counseling to affected individuals and families.

Please continue to pray for those affected by this crisis. Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to immediate and long-term the needs of those impacted by the cyclones.

Episcopal Relief & Development Responds to Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa

Press Release

April 1, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting Anglican partner organizations in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in response to Cyclone Idai, a destructive category four storm that struck southern Africa in March.

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 partnering with the Anglican dioceses of Lebombo and Niassa in a long-term response to meet the needs in impacted communities. In response to the immense destruction in the city of Beira, the Diocese of Lebombo is establishing a regional development office. It will network and 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 the diocesan outreach that may continue for several months as longer-term rehabilitation and recovery needs are prioritized. As the initial emergency activities end and relief organizations move on to other crises, the Church will remain with the impacted communities and support long-term efforts. The diocese is targeting their response to support schools, water and sanitation support, particularly as it impacts vulnerable children and their families. In the Diocese of Niassa, church partners are providing hygiene, nutrition and agricultural support which will target at least 1,000 families in the provinces of Zambezia, Niassa and Tete.

Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting partner 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 while Anglican Relief & Development of Zimbabwe is coordinating a response providing 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 Programme Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are inspired by the instinctive ministries of all of the impacted churches, and stand ready to serve with them as each church enhances their community-based relief and recovery strategy moving forward.”

Please continue to pray for those affected by Cyclone Idai. Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to this crisis.

Responding to Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa

Web Statement

March 29, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Anglican partner organizations in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in response to Cyclone Idai, a category four storm that brought massive flooding, rain and high winds to parts of southern Africa.

Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with church partners in the affected areas as they assess the needs in their communities. In Mozambique, Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Anglican dioceses of Lebombo and Niassa to provide an immediate and long-term response to those impacted. Episcopal Relief & Development is also supporting partners the Anglican Relief & Development Zimbabwe and the Anglican Council of Malawi in providing emergency relief such as food, water and blankets.

“The full impact of the cyclone has yet to be realized,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Programme Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development. “Episcopal Relief & Development is working together with our church partners and the Anglican Alliance in all three countries to respond to the immediate needs created by the storm, and also to help them build long-term disaster response capabilities and strategies. We continue to pray for all those impacted.”

Please continue to pray for those affected by Cyclone Idai. Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to this crisis.

Supporting the Response to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa

Web Statement

March 20, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development is coordinating with Anglican partner organizations in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe in response to the powerful Tropical Cyclone Idai which struck the African countries last week.

The Category 2 storm ripped through Mozambique with 175 kph (109 mph), flattening homes and buildings and causing widespread destruction as it moved through neighboring Zimbabwe and parts of Malawi. According to reports, 90% of the port city of Beira, Mozambique has been destroyed by the rain and floodwater, leaving thousands without shelter and food. As of Wednesday, over 200 people have died in Mozambique. This number is expected to rise since many more are still trapped by the floodwaters. In Malawi and Zimbabwe, 56 and 98 people have died and hundreds are injured.

Episcopal Relief & Development is coordinating with the Anglican dioceses of Niassa and Lebombo in Mozambique, the Anglican Relief and Development Zimbabwe and in Malawi with the Anglican Alliance as they prepare to respond.

“Program staff reached out to our partners in the affected areas,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Senior Programme Officer, Disaster Response and Risk Reduction. “We are grateful for our partnerships with the Anglican Alliance and the Anglican dioceses as they identify critical needs and organize local efforts to reach communities impacted by the cyclone.”

Please pray for those affected by Cyclone Idai. Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development respond to this crisis.

Ongoing Response to the Cyclones in Southern Africa

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