ReliefWeb

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (PANA) - The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane, Friday issued an urgent appeal on South Africans to contribute to an emergency fund for Mozambican flood victims.
"We simply cannot stand by without responding to the horrific circumstances, largely precipitated by the down flow of our rivers. Our relationship with our sister nation calls for action that will hopefully spur the rest of the world to follow suit."

Ndungane has alerted Anglican bishops throughout the sub-continent to call on parishes to contribute.

"But the human drama unfolding is far bigger than one denomination, one faith or any of the other divides in our society," he added.

There are indications that the world is beginning to take notice of the horrific flooding in Mozambique and other parts of Southern Africa which have left hundreds of people dead and up to a million others displaced.

The US, which has provided millions of dollars in relief aid and tonnes of equipment for the victims in Mozambique, Thursday dispatched 500 soldiers and six C-130 transport planes to ferry aid and supplies, while six helicopters were to lift survivors stranded in trees and rooftops.

There are now more than 40 aircraft enroute to Mozambique to provide back-up for the South African National Defence Force helicopters which have been operating around the clock for almost two weeks in the worst affected areas.

Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano said at least 250 million US dollars is required to assist in the rescue operation and reconstruction of areas destroyed by the torrential rains.

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