Our DC-8 aircraft departed Friday to bring emergency shelter materials and disaster response specialists, including medical personnel, to serve those devastated by Cyclone Idai.
Our DC-3 landed with emergency supplies in Beira, Mozambique, where we are beginning distributions.
MARCH 25 UPDATE: The death toll in Mozambique from Cyclone Idai now stands at nearly 450. In addition to bringing emergency shelter materials, Samaritan’s Purse is providing water filters, mosquito nets, and medical assistance to survivors. Supplies have already been unloaded in Beira in preparation for distribution throughout the area. 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 100 mph winds. Preceded by heavy rains, the storm left over 290 people dead and more than 400,000 displaced. It may be the worst weather-related disaster to ever strike the Southern Hemisphere according to United Nations officials.
A family is grateful to receive shelter material from Samaritan’s Purse staff.
On March 22, Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft left Greensboro, North Carolina, for Mozambique loaded with 27 tons of emergency supplies and a team of disaster response specialists, including medical personnel, to serve those affected by the storm in Jesus’ Name. Upon arrival in Mozambique, we will use 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.”
As our teams prepared to land in flooded areas of Mozambique, destruction was apparent from the air. Please continue to pray for families suffering in the aftermath of this deadly storm.
