Written by: INcontext
Article source: www.incontextinternational.org
On Saturday 23 January, Tropical Cyclone Eloise made landfall near Beira City in Sofala Province with high winds, heavy rains, and severe flooding.
Sofala province has been the hardest hit. According to Mozambique’s National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), Beira received 250mm of rain in 24 hours. At least 11 people died, 12 were injured and an estimated 6,859 displaced.
According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs more than 176,000 people have been affected and almost 137,000 hectares of crops have been flooded. The storm also damaged more than 8,800 houses and at least 26 health centres, and disrupted power and communication links. Many of the areas hit by Eloise were previously devastated by Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019 and had not yet fully recovered.
UNICEF estimates that more than 176,000 people in central Mozambique will need humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of Eloise. Local officials and aid agencies are assessing the damage and trying to restore power and communications, which were cut-off in some areas. According to the Mozambique Red Cross, more than 5,000 people were evacuated in a 72-hour period.
Mozambique has emerged as the most vulnerable country to climate change, in Africa. According to the World Bank, the average annual losses from floods induced by cyclones in Mozambique stands at $440 million. These floods contribute to extreme poverty and recovery is constrained.
INcontext’s Crisis Response Network (CRN)* has partnered with Harvesters, Rise Against Hunger, and Mercy Air to assist Mozambique in meeting the immediate needs of those affected through food and ‘dignity packs’; addressing long-term restoration and food security efforts (roofing materials and seeds to replace flooded crop); and equipping local networks with training to implement a holistic approach to improving rainfall infiltration.
Mozambique is home to about 31 million people, 52.9% of whom profess to be Christian, while 17%-19% follow Islam. In addition to the current floods, the country continues to struggle with an Islamist insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, which began in 2017.
Please join with us in praying for Mozambique.
“The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognise their priesthood unto God and day-by-day give themselves to prayer.” (John Mott)
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Date published: 04/02/2021
Feature image: www.incontextinternational.org
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