Hundreds of thousands of people have lost
their homes, belongings and crops following cyclones, heavy rains and floods
that battered Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and several other Southern
African countries since February. Continuing bad weather has already washed
away one harvest and left the ground too soggy for the March-April planting.
"The next planting is scheduled for September, with harvest six to
eight weeks later," notes Rick Augsburger, CWS Emergency Response
Director, "so people will need basic food support until then."
CWS is supporting the local purchase
of Rural Resettlement Kits, which for a modest $180 each, will equip families
as they return home. These kits, initially targeted to families in greatest
need in Mozambique and Madagascar, include blankets, plastic sheeting,
mosquito nets, health kits, landmine awareness materials, cooking utensils,
a charcoal cook stove, water filter, wash- basin, plastic jerry can, basic
food stuffs (rice, beans, maize, sugar, salt, cooking oil), seeds, and
tools. Families in greatest need will also receive a pair of goats.
CWS has provided $103,776 for blankets for families in Zimbabwe, and $120,000 to the Christian Council of Mozambique for blankets and other emergency supplies. CWS has also provided $15,000 for technical volunteers from the South African Council of Churches, who will assist the Christian Council of Mozambique.