AFRICA/KENYA – Catholic Church begins raising funds for flood victims
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – 188 people have died in the floods that have hit several regions of Kenya since March, according to the official report presented by the government in Nairobi. Another 125 people were injured, 90 are missing and more than 165,000 have been displaced. The death toll rose on April 29 following the collapse of the Old Kijabe Dam in Mai Mahiu, which killed 45 people. So far, flooding has submerged at least 27,000 acres of farmland and killed 4,800 livestock. The Kenya Red Cross has set up 59 camps to accommodate the displaced people. The disaster also hit the education system hard, with more than 100 schools severely damaged or completely destroyed.
Anthony Muheria, Archbishop of Nyeri and Vice President of the Kenya Bishops’ Conference, expressed the closeness of the Kenyan Church to those affected by the floods who are suffering the loss of their loved ones and the assets that enable them to live.
“Unfortunately, lives were lost and many people were affected. Their homes, belongings and crops were swept away; even cows and goats were decimated,” said Archbishop Muheria in a message in Swahili published on April 28. Bishop Muheria launched an appeal for solidarity to help the victims of this immense tragedy: “This is why we appeal to everyone to give everything they can to help. Mattresses, blankets, pots and pans , food, clothing, anything that can help children or families affected by the floods.” “A little money, a little flour, even clothes. … The good Samaritan, who meets the afflicted on the side of the road, is us,” declares the Archbishop of Nyeri. The appeal launched by Bishop Muheria was taken up by the Kenyan Catholic Church. “A collection for those affected by the floods will be made next Sunday in all churches in the country”, Mgr Charles Ndung’u, vicar general of the archdiocese of Nyeri, told Agenzia Fides. Help is all the more necessary as “the rains continue and the populations affected by the floods live in fear and anguish”, adds the vicar general.
During the general audience yesterday, May 1, Pope Francis recalled the suffering of the Kenyan populations affected by the floods: “I also wish to convey to the Kenyan people my spiritual closeness at this time when a serious flood has tragically cost the lives of lives to many of our brothers and sisters, harming others and causing vast destruction. I invite you to pray for all those suffering the effects of this natural disaster. Even in the midst of adversity, let us remember. the joy of the risen Christ I invoke upon you and your families the merciful love of God our Father (LM) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2024)
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