A $50,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief is helping Cyclone Freddy survivors in Malawi rebuild their lives.
Your gifts on UMCOR Sunday helps support the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere.
The March 2023 cyclone killed more than 1,000 people in the country and displaced more than 560,000 in 14 districts. Additionally, more than 125,000 households lost their means of livelihood, including homes, crops, livestock, public infrastructures, schools, health facilities and places of worship.
In response to immediate needs, the Malawi United Methodist Church, along with the government and nongovernmental associations, provided food, sanitary items, medicine, utensils and materials for temporary shelters. Now that camps that accommodated displaced people have been closed, survivors have the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
With the grant money, the Malawi Provisional Conference has embarked on aid that strives to support those households, providing agricultural training, irrigation equipment, livestock and assistance in reconstructing community infrastructure.
“Even our hospital, which held crucial data and property, was not spared,” said Dixy Khando, Nkhulambe Health Center medical assistant. “As we wait for the hospital to be reconstructed, having access to necessities like toilets is crucial. We are grateful for the support of sanitary facilities that are coming from this project.”
Rebecca Navaya said the support from The United Methodist Church gives survivors like her hope.
According to government reports, Cyclone Freddy severely affected some 125,000 households in the Nsanje, Phalombe and Machinga districts. The aid will impact 900 households directly through agricultural productivity, benefiting 600 farmers with crop and livestock productivity.
“To ensure efficient irrigation, 300 household farmers will receive motorized pumps or watering cans,” he said. “Another 300 households will benefit from a livestock pass-on scheme, which involves receiving goats. These initiatives will not only support livelihood recovery but will also enhance food security for the beneficiaries.”
He said the response, which is expected to last five months, has a broader goal of improving community access to vital resources and assets.
“We plan to construct three worship sanctuaries and a sanitary facility for a health center. This will greatly benefit approximately 10,000 people in our targeted communities, providing spaces for solace, encouragement and meeting health care needs,” Solola said.
About 20% of the UMCOR grant will be dedicated to the purchase of material to supplement bricks and sand already provided by the local community for the rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructures.
The impact of the aid will be significant, said the Rev. Ephraim Kambona, Malawik Southern District superintendent, noting that the initiative will generate income, improve living conditions and offer spiritual support to communities in need.
“To ensure inclusivity and reach those most in need, the project will specifically target the vulnerable, including female-headed households and the elderly,” Kambona said. “We aim to identify areas that have been reached least by the government and other organizations, extending our support to those who require it most.”
excerpt from a story by Francis Nkhoma, communicator, Malawi Provisional Conference of The United Methodist Church.
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, UMCOR Sunday calls United Methodists to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. Your gifts to UMCOR Sunday lay the foundation for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to share God’s love with communities everywhere. The special offering underwrites UMCOR’s “costs of doing business.” This helps UMCOR to keep the promise that 100 percent of any gift to a specific UMCOR project will go toward that project, not administrative costs.
When you give generously on UMCOR Sunday, you make a difference in the lives of people who hurt. Give now.
