MALAWI: Catholic Church Offers Support to Victims of Flooding

CHIKWAWA, APRIL 16, 2019 (CISA)-The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has reached out to floods victims residing at Makina, Matiya Camps in Zomba, and Mwalija Camp in Chikwawa, with basic needs.

The exercise marked the launch of ECM 2019 Floods Response Project which the Conference will be implementing through its Development arm, Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM).

Speaking during the launch at Mwalija Camp in Chikwawa, Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi assured the people that the Catholic Bishops are concerned with the loss the people have encountered due to the floods and also with the people’s living conditions at the camps.

“We are doing this to show our solidarity with you and to fulfill our responsibility to help those in need. The Bishops do realize the difficulties you are passing through,” he said.

He asked the Development partners among them Aid to the Church in Need, Cordaid, Sign of Hope, Caritas Australia and Korea through Caritas International to, “help us with resources so that we can reach out to you. We thank them because through their help, some of your problems will be solved.”

ECM Secretary General Rev Fr Henry Saindi said that apart from the fact that the Church cares for the spiritual aspect of people, it also cares for their physical well-being. He therefore urged all Catholic and people of good will to encourage the spirit of helping those in need.

“The Catholic Church respects the human dignity and has a preferential option for the poor. Therefore, the Bishops are here to fulfill their responsibility with the little they have managed to get from partners. They have also directed that all offerings of the Fourth Week Lent this year should go towards supporting the floods victims in the country,” said Fr Saindi, adding that this should set an example to all Catholics.

Through this project, ECM will accompany the displaced people during their recovering and resettlement from camps through provision of basic items.