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DISASTER RELIEF IN MOZAMBIQUE
Be A HERO is working with Iris Ministries to raise funds and workers for the recent flooding crisis in Mozambique. We became aware of the urgency of the situation on February 23rd when Heidi Baker received a call during her visit to our conference in Kelowna. Since Feb 23rd, another cyclone has hit the region. Here’s an overview of the situation:
“Send help, send help – they are all dying” was the impassioned plea from Iris Ministries International’s Norberto Sango in Morrumbala, just north of the Zambezi River in the central Zambezia Province of Mozambique on Friday, Feb. 23rd. The flooding over the last few weeks caused by torrential rains and greatly exacerbated after officials were forced to open the sluice gates of the Cahora Bassa dam, has destroyed the crops and an estimated 300,000 homes. Additionally, over 350 churches with children’s homes have vanished. Norberto wept on the phone as he described the unspeakably horrible conditions. The people have no houses, no shelter of any sort (not even a scrap of plastic), no food, no drinkable water, no blankets. They have lost everything. They try to survive by eating roots, bugs and leaves, but they are starving. Many are naked, living like animals in the mud, rain and wind. Children cry all through the night in thunderstorms, sick, cold, and hungry. Some have not eaten for three weeks. Aid agencies seem to be unaware of them, and no help has been forthcoming apart from what Iris Ministries has provided so far. Refugees from Malawi are crossing the border to Mozambique in canoes, desperately seeking food that is unavailable.
The governor of Zambezia has asked Iris Ministries to provide aid specifically to an estimated 20,000 people in 7 refugee camps being established after the evacuation
Here are the preliminary population numbers as provided by Iris’ contacts on the ground:
- Migassu 426
- Tengani 2588
- Changota 3705
- Kampota 3602
- Chilome 3062
- Zirimbi 439
- Mupea 850
Norberto said that the most urgent needs are food, blankets, tents, seed (beans and corn), hoes, and powdered milk. Contaminated water will also quickly become an issue, and the threat of cholera and other diseases is looming.
Iris Ministries has been working in Mozambique for 13 years, developing a network of over 5000 churches. Before the current crisis, they have been feeding upwards of 12,000 people per day, and caring for over 5000 orphaned children. The raw details of the situation in remote flooded areas are coming directly from the pastors in the bush, information that the government of Mozambique and aid agencies are not yet aware of. The WFP and even organizations like Peter Pretorius's Jesus Alive ministry do not have an information and distribution network in remote areas like Iris’ web of pastors and churches.
These 7 camps are within 30 – 50 km of Morrumbala, where Iris has an established base with a regional web of pastors able to provide distribution of goods, and 3 Land Rovers equipped with snorkels. Iris has disbursed approximately $70,000.00 worth of emergency food aid in the last week – the only relief agency working in the region. They have exhausted their resources.
Iris Ministries has proven their capabilities in past crisis, as evidenced by the request from the government for their leadership in this current emergency. The government has granted them duty-free status for all containers. Iris is confident that their network will provide equitable and quick distribution, regardless of status, race or religion. Food, more Land Rovers, helicopters, shelter, first aid supplies, blankets, seed and hand farming equipment, and powdered milk are required immediately.
If you would like to assist in the relief efforts:
- Donate funds to enable us to purchase emergency food aid, blankets, shelter, and other items immediately required, or to pay for shipping containers. It would greatly assist us if you would just designate your gift to “Mozambique Disaster Relief” as we will purchase what is needed at the time depending on what other assistance we have garnered from various governments and other NGO’s we are working with on the ground. 100% of your donation will go directly to the field. If you wish to donate CLICK HERE.
- Discuss the situation in Mozambique with your co-workers, friends and family. Brainstorm about how you might work together to help the families of Mozambique.
- PRAY –we have had many challenges and obstacles such as vehicle breakdowns, government red tape, communication problems; lack of funds, and transportation issues. Personnel on the ground have been stretched well beyond capacity. 12 containers of food have been purchased and shipped, but the government reneged on their initial commitment to allow the shipments without duty. They are asking for $80,000.00 to release the containers.
NOTE: We have suspended the program to send relief teams into Mozambique until our containers of food have been released by the government. Once the food is available for distribution, we will again organize teams of relief workers.
Be A HERO News Report from Maputo click here.
Be A HERO News Report from Morrumbala click here.
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