Cyclone Appeal: Faith leaders urge generous response

Credit: CAFOD

UK faith leaders - including Bishop Declan Lang (Chair of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales), Dr Rowan Williams, (former Archbishop of Canterbury), and Abdul Qayyum (Chief Imam of the East London Mosque, which serves Britain's largest Muslim community) - have urged Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths and none to support the Disasters Emergency Committee's Cyclone Idai Appeal to help those affected in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The cyclone has left a trail of destruction, killing hundreds of people and affecting an estimated 2.6 million people across the three southern African countries. Houses, bridges and roads have been ripped apart and much agricultural land is completely submerged. More than 750 people are confirmed dead and 400,000 have lost their homes.

The British public donated £8 million to the appeal in its first day, the first £2 million of which was match-funded by the UK government. Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales have made personal donations.

The faith-based charities CAFOD, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Tearfund and World Vision UK, which are among the 14 leading UK aid agency members of the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee), are also calling on local churches, mosques and faith communities to support the appeal which launched on 21 March.

Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of Christian Aid, said: "At a time of increasing disasters across the globe, it has never been more important for humanity to come together to support the most vulnerable. There is no better way of countering the rising climate of hatred and intolerance than a gesture of kindness to a stranger in need on the other side of the world."

Bishop Declan Lang said: "Just as Pope Francis calls for prayer and action for the families whose lives have been devastated, I ask Catholics across England and Wales to support the DEC appeal and keep the people affected by this tragedy in their prayers."

Visit www.dec.org.uk