Mozambique: Cyclone destroys churches and homes in region shaken by insurgency

Church damaged by Cyclone Chido in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. © ACN

Source: ACN

Dozens of people have died and thousands lost everything this week as Cyclone Chido destroyed or damaged up to 50 churches and thousands of homes in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique where Islamist insurgent groups remain active.

The cyclone left a "frightening scene of destruction" in its wake, according to Bishop António Juliasse of Pemba Diocese which includes Cabo Delgado.

Bishop Juliasse told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that his diocese has suffered the worst damage, and the storm even destroyed the displacement camps set up for survivors of terrorism in the region.

The bishop said: "This cyclone was devastating. It is frightening to see how much destruction the strong winds caused in such a short time."

He added that thousands of fragile houses were swept away, and even churches built from more resistant materials were destroyed.

He explained: "In our diocese, close to 50 churches, from parish headquarters to the churches of local communities, were either destroyed or sustained damage to their roofs…

"We also have schools which had their roofs blown off, or floor destroyed, and a lot of other assets were wrecked as well."

Bishop Juliasse went on to ask for prayers for the people suffering as a result of the destruction.

ACN has offered to help restore important Church buildings in the region.

The charity's project partners in Mozambique have said that they have lost all means of communication with some parts of the country and requested prayers for the many suffering communities.

Violent clashes between jihadist insurgents seeking to establish a hard-line Islamic state and the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been ongoing in Cabo Delgado Province for more than seven years, killing thousands and displacing more than a million people.

Sister Maria Aparecida Ramos, an ACN project partner in Pemba Diocese, said that the region was experiencing much "pain and despair".

Sister Ramos added that the cyclone struck "just when the people were beginning to sow their crops, hoping not to spend Christmas hungry".

She added: "Now what? They have no food, no home, no belongings. What will become of us? We have lost everything."

ACN sources have said that in parts of Mozambique there is a lack of electricity, communication is scarce, and extremist groups remain active, continuing to spread fear.

But they added that, despite the despair, people can be sure that the Church is there to offer assistance to those most in need.

ACN support for Mozambique has included emergency aid, pastoral help and counselling for those displaced and traumatised by the violence, as well as formation support for seminarians and subsistence aid for priests and religious.

With thanks to Paulo Aido

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