CHIPATA DIOCESE DONATES RELIEF ITEMS TO CYCLONE FREDDY SURVIVORS IN MALAWI
The Catholic Diocese of Chipata in Zambia has donated various items to the Church in Malawi which are to be distributed to survivors of Cyclone Freddy .
Representing Bishop George Lungu during the handover ceremony at the Catholic Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Rev Fr. Bernard Zulu, who is also the Director of Caritas Chipata said the Church in Zambia was and still is deeply concerned by the sad effects the Cyclone caused.
“Bishop Lungu felt the need to come and assist our brothers and sisters who were affected by the Cyclone Freddy here in Malawi. He launched a campaign to woo support from Christians to donate various items like food, clothes as well as money and today we have brought the assorted items. We hope our sisters and brothers will at least get some assistance from them in a little way to find ground as they go through this challenge.” Said Fr. Zulu
He continued that the Church in Zambia prays for the affected people and wishes them God’s strengths and hopes that the support will continue especially now that Christians are beginning to harvest from their fields since the campaign has not been closed.
Receiving the donation for the Church in Malawi, ECM’s Secretary General Rev Fr. Alfred Chaima thanked the diocese of Chipata and the whole Church in Zambia for showing solidarity with the Church in Malawi and proving the universality of the Catholic Church.
“The ECM is grateful for the gesture by the Church in Zambia because as soon as they heard about the predicament of the Cyclone Freddy in Malawi, they came in quickly to assist. The first assistance we received came in from the Zambia Episcopal Conference in form of Funds which were used to procure relief item for the survivors and were sent to dioceses for distribution through Caritas Malawi. Now the diocese of Chipata has brought in food and non-food items for the same purpose. This is what the Church is there for and why it is called the universal Church.” Said Fr. Chaima
He continued that since the Cyclone happened, the Church in Malawi has been close to the affected people, it provided and continues to provide various support needed at the moment like food, clothing and household utensils. He further thanked various partners who helped the Church in Malawi with monetary and non- monetary support which made and continues to make it possible for the Church to reach out to the survivors.
The relief items received from Chipata diocese are equivalent to 4000USD and are yet to be distributed to affected dioceses.