By CISA
TRANSKEI, APRIL 26, 2022 (CISA) – Rt. Rev. Sithembele Sipuka, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Umtata and chairperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), dispatched a Caritas team led by Thembekile J Kanise during the Holy Week as part of relief plans in the diocese to help victims of the ravaging flood that affected over 420 families in the diocese.
South Africa, which has experienced heavy torrential rains in recent days has seen floods in various regions affect the lives of many of its citizens whose homes, food, clothes and livelihoods were washed away.
Bishop Sipuka maintained that the priority action by the Church is to save lives amidst the disaster hence in Umtata. The team from the diocese worked in Tandem with Caritas Mthatha to appeal for donations to reach out to more vulnerable people at this time of calamity.
“Through the efforts of the two offices, the Bishop’s Office and Caritas South Africa, Caritas Mthatha was able to give groceries to over 50 families. The grocery will be able to cater for the entire family, meanwhile, others received uniforms and books. Caritas Mthatha was able to supply 20 thousand litres of water,” reads a report by SACBC.
According to the report, “Caritas Mthatha observed that many of the families require additional help for building homes, TLB (tractor loader backhoe) to remove the soil that fell into their belongings and to repair access roads.”
