MALAWI: ECM Launches a Billion Kwacha (2.2USD) National Flood Support
 |
| Bishop Mtumbuka (left) and Archbishop Msusa presenting a symbolic donation to one of the flood victims |
The Catholic
Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) on Tuesday (10th
March) launched a national wide flood response worthy one Billion Malawi Kwacha
(about 2.2 Million USD) at a function held at January Parish, in Thyolo
district.
Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) on Tuesday (10th
March) launched a national wide flood response worthy one Billion Malawi Kwacha
(about 2.2 Million USD) at a function held at January Parish, in Thyolo
district.
Speaking at
the function, Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi and Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese said that the Catholic Church
in Malawi has been alarmed and grieved by the displacement of thousands of
people whose homes and crops were destroyed by the raging floods which also
killed hundreds of people and injured many.
the function, Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference
of Malawi and Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese said that the Catholic Church
in Malawi has been alarmed and grieved by the displacement of thousands of
people whose homes and crops were destroyed by the raging floods which also
killed hundreds of people and injured many.
Earlier, the
Bishop’s Conference in Malawi set aside the 8th February, 2015 as a
special Sunday for the collections of relief and dedicated all the collections
for the AMECEA thanksgiving Mass on 31st January 2015 towards supporting
the victims.
Bishop’s Conference in Malawi set aside the 8th February, 2015 as a
special Sunday for the collections of relief and dedicated all the collections
for the AMECEA thanksgiving Mass on 31st January 2015 towards supporting
the victims.
Archbishop
Msusa said that the ECM is pleased with the generosity shown by the faithful in
Malawi for contributing about 240 metric tons of assorted items that included
clothes, shoes, blankets, maize, beddings and non-perishable snacks like Kamba
puffs, kitchen utensils, and beans among others.
Msusa said that the ECM is pleased with the generosity shown by the faithful in
Malawi for contributing about 240 metric tons of assorted items that included
clothes, shoes, blankets, maize, beddings and non-perishable snacks like Kamba
puffs, kitchen utensils, and beans among others.
“We commend
the oneness and unity in joy and tribulation, which the Catholic Church in
Malawi has shown, and we continue to ask well-wishers to keep contributing
towards this noble cause. The demand for relief items in the affected 15
districts is still huge,” he said.
the oneness and unity in joy and tribulation, which the Catholic Church in
Malawi has shown, and we continue to ask well-wishers to keep contributing
towards this noble cause. The demand for relief items in the affected 15
districts is still huge,” he said.
ECM acting Secretary
General, Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo thanked the Universal Church for hearing the
appeal for assistance towards the flood disaster.
General, Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo thanked the Universal Church for hearing the
appeal for assistance towards the flood disaster.
He said,
“Our brothers and sisters across the world, through the Caritas International
mobilized resources for the flood response in Malawi”.
“Our brothers and sisters across the world, through the Caritas International
mobilized resources for the flood response in Malawi”.
Fr. Chimombo
also challenged Catholic faithful in leadership positions to live to their
Christian values by advocating for pro-poor and resilient building policies so
that emergencies like floods do not always find Malawians off guard.
also challenged Catholic faithful in leadership positions to live to their
Christian values by advocating for pro-poor and resilient building policies so
that emergencies like floods do not always find Malawians off guard.
Both
Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa and a Gift Mafuleka from the Department of
Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) commended the Catholic Church in Malawi for
responding to the call by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the
Republic of Malawi to support the flood affected households.
Traditional Authority Ngolongoliwa and a Gift Mafuleka from the Department of
Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) commended the Catholic Church in Malawi for
responding to the call by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, President of the
Republic of Malawi to support the flood affected households.
Before the
official launch, all the Bishops paid a solidarity visit to Goliati Mitabali
evacuation camps.
official launch, all the Bishops paid a solidarity visit to Goliati Mitabali
evacuation camps.
The Catholic
Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) which is the relief and development
arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi is coordinating the distribution of
relief items in the affected areas.
Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) which is the relief and development
arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi is coordinating the distribution of
relief items in the affected areas.
The Launching
event was also attended by Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the
Episcopal Conference of Malawi and Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese, Rt. Rev.
Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga diocese, Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa diocese
and Rt. Rev. Montfort Sitima of Mangochi diocese; while Zomba, Mzuzu, and
Lilongwe dioceses were also represented by Diocesan Administrators and Vicars
General respectively.
event was also attended by Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa, Chairman of the
Episcopal Conference of Malawi and Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese, Rt. Rev.
Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga diocese, Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa diocese
and Rt. Rev. Montfort Sitima of Mangochi diocese; while Zomba, Mzuzu, and
Lilongwe dioceses were also represented by Diocesan Administrators and Vicars
General respectively.
By Prince Henderson, ECM
Communications Officer
Communications Officer
