As deadly floods hit southern Africa, Pope Leo XIV prayed for the affected, with Catholic bishops in the region urging support for thousands struck by the climate change-related disaster. Source: OSV News.
The severe flooding – resulting from weeks of intense and unrelenting rainfall since December 26 – has killed hundreds of people in the region and forced thousands into centers for the internally displaced.
The floods have also affected large swaths of farmland and destroyed roads, bridges and critical structures, including water sources and health facilities, putting the region at risk of disease outbreaks.
Pope Leo prayed for the victims of recent storms during his Angelus address on Sunday.
“I assure you of my prayers for the dead and for those who are suffering as a result of the storms that have struck Portugal and southern Italy in recent days,” he said, adding: “Let us also not forget the people of Mozambique who have been severely affected by flooding.”
In the most recent tragedy related to heavy rains in the region, more than 200 people reportedly died in eastern Congo after a mine collapsed.
Women and children extracting coltan – a mineral used to manufacture electronics such as smartphones and computers – are said to be among the victims, the BBC reported on Sunday.
The floods have struck Mozambique, Eswatini, northern South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In Mozambique, at least 700,000 people in six provinces were affected, with essential transport routes cut off – making it difficult for humanitarian assistance to reach the people.
Scientists believe climate change has contributed to the intense rainfall, with the La Niña phenomenon playing a key role.
Although local and regional churches are responding to the flooding, officials say the magnitude of the disaster outweighs the groups’ resources.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa, president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, appealed on Friday to the international community to come to the aid of the populations affected by the flooding in southern Africa.
The cardinal said while immediate relief was needed for those living in temporary shelters, support was also necessary to help the affected communities restart their lives, rebuild their homes and livelihoods and regain their dignity and hope.
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Pope Leo prays for thousands affected by disastrous floods in southern Africa (By Fredrick Nzwili, OSV News)
