SA Church Gives Cyclone Aid

by Kilian SC · Published April 11, 2019 · Updated April 11, 2019

Children carry drinking water over debris in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. More than 2 million people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have been affected by a cyclone that has killed more than 700 people, with hundreds still missing in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. (CNS photo/Philimon Bulawayo, Reuters)

After the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the Jesuits in South Africa are collecting donations in cash or kind (clothes, blankets, non-perishable food) for those affected, to be distributed by the Jesuit provinces of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Johannesburg donations can be dropped off at Holy Trinity church in Braamfontein, St Martin de Porres in Orlando West, and the Jesuit Refugee Service at 484 Marshall Street, Belgravia.

More than two million people have been affected by Cyclone Idai across the three countries.

The Southern African Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has already provided financial aid, and is calling on people of goodwill to be more generous in their Lenten contributions, so that the Church can continue to help. The SACBC has also set up a Cyclone Idai emergency relief account people can donate to.

The bishops applauded rescue agencies and the international community for their efforts to rescue survivors and bring relief to all the afflicted.

The SACBC also encouraged bishops in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi to continue to work with their governments to ease the situation.

Fr Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, said the scale of devastation is enormous.

“Floods have wiped out entire villages, and key infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, schools, has been destroyed.”

The archdiocese of Beira, Mozambique’s second-largest city, suffered enormous damage.

Fr Orobator said on Facebook that 22 parish churches were damaged, of which three totally collapsed, while 60 small chapels, 20 religious and religious residences, seven schools and nine parish residences were damaged, some seriously.

“Let us especially use this time of Lent to help those in need in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi,” Fr Orobator said. “Even the smallest of gestures can bring hope,” he said.

The bank details for the Jesuit Relief Fund are: Standard Bank Melville (006105), Society of Jesus in South Africa, account number 201874113. Indicate Cyclone Idai.

The bank details for the SACBC fund are: Nedbank (160445), Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, account number 1604781130. Make reference to Cyclone Emergency Relief.