MARCH 26 UPDATE: The death toll in Mozambique from Cyclone Idai now stands at more than 800. In addition to bringing emergency shelter materials, Samaritan’s Purse is providing water filters, mosquito nets, and medical assistance to survivors. Supplies have started to be distributed in Beira. Please pray for the people of this hurting nation as rain continues to fall and flooding grows.
Cyclone Idai made landfall in the southern African nation of Mozambique on March 14 with more than 160 km/h winds. Preceded by heavy rains, the storm left over 800 people dead and more than 500,000 displaced. It may be the worst weather-related disaster to ever strike the Southern Hemisphere according to United Nations officials.
On March 22, the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft left Greensboro, North Carolina, for Mozambique loaded with 27 tons of emergency supplies and a team of 67 disaster response specialists, including medical personnel, to serve its people in Jesus’ Name. Five Canadians are part of the team. We are using our Africa-based DC-3 aircraft to shuttle them to difficult-to-access areas of the country in order to provide much-needed relief.
Mozambique’s port city of Beira, which serves other parts of the continent, is almost completely destroyed. Flooding cut off major roadways, restricting access and slowing recovery efforts. As a result, the death toll may still rise. President Nyusi estimates that up to 1,000 may have lost their lives.
The people of Mozambique began three days of national mourning to mark this tragedy on March 20. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, said, “Please pray for Mozambique as we bring critical relief supplies and the hope of the Gospel to this hurting nation.”
Samaritan's Purse responds to humanitarian crises with physical aid and a message of spiritual hope for victims of natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war. Your gift will allow us to share Jesus' love through clean water, food, shelter, medical supplies, personnel, and other aid.