MU Emergency Relief Work

The Mothers' Union Relief Fund provides emergency financial help for communities affected by natural disaster or conflict. Although an internationally renowned organisation, the grassroots nature of Mothers' Union means that it is exceptionally well placed within communities to quickly obtain food, materials and medicines for immediate distribution where most needed.

Mozambique
Mothers' Union were amongst the first charities to respond when a cyclone struck at the end of February 2007. An immediate grant of 15,000 UK pounds was sent from the Relief fund to assist Mothers' Uunion volunteers in Niassa and Lebombo diocese. The cyclone and the following heavy rains brought flooding and devastation, especially to families around Lake Malawi, where 1,500 families were made homeless. As a direct result of Mothers' Union intervention 680 families were supplied with emergency aid kits including mosquito nets; essential in this highly endemic area for malaria, food supplies and chlorine for water purification. Further Mothers' Union grants are already being made available to provide additional funding for replanting crops, essential drugs, roofing plastic, soap and tents to house people needing medical assistance.

Burundi
Mothers' Union responded to an urgent appeal from the Archbishop of Burundi in January, when the effects of famine and flood were severe enough for the Government to declare a national disaster. Houses, schools and churches were destroyed, 80 % of crops were washed away or destroyed, and the country's roads and communication infrastructure was badly damaged. People in the area were suffering malnutrition and disease. Alongside the financial contributions of the Burnundians themselves, the Government and Anglican Communion appealed for assistance. It is estimated that 800,000 people will need food assistance between February and July 2007. Mothers' Union sent an immediate fund of 10,000 to Mothers' Union in Burundi to enable them to bring immediate relief to families most in need in the affected areas.

Famine in East Africa
Over 13 million people across East Africa, at least half of them under 18 years of age, were affected by prolonged drought in 2005. Across Kenya, Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia rural communities were pushed to starvation point by the resulting failed harvests. One Mothers' Union region in Burundi had not seen rain since 2002 and their situation typifies many across East Africa their farms fail without water, children are suffering from malnutrition and many people are dying of starvation.

What did we do?
Whilst not a million dollar international aid agency, Mothers' Union has been able to fund many direct requests from dioceses across Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi and Malawi. In Kenya maize and beans were distributed to those most in need. In Burundi over 2,000 families were helped by the provision of rice, beans, maize and clothes: In Malawi 3,000 families in need of urgent assistance were helped, and these dioceses are now assisting communities on improving agricultural methods for long term food security.

What can you do?
Our Emergency Relief Fund urgently needs donations to enable us to be able to respond to future natural disasters. Sadly, drought is a perennial problem in Africa, flooding in Asia, famine across the developing world. To respond we need your help:

• Donate
• Pray

Relief for Refugees
In September 2005 there was renewed fighting in the Diocese of Boga, in D R Congo. A large group of rebels attacked the centre of the Diocese looting and burning houses, buildings and the main hospital. Thousands of people, mainly women and children fled from the area and settled in camps in Eringeti and Bunia and across the border in Uganda. Living with literally nothing on the side of the road, or in camps, the situation of these displaced people was desperate.

What did we do?
At Eringeti, Bunia and in Muhabura, Uganda where over 20,000 refugees sought sanctuary, Mothers' Union members visited people, listened and talked with them, and asked what their needs were. A relief fund grant was quickly sent for emergency supplies of maize flour, blankets, jerricans, soap and other utensils to help these families. Over 2,000 families were assisted in this way, and Mothers' Union continues to visit displaced families, including children without parents.

What can you do?
Many people continue to die in refugee camps. MU can work through the local diocese to bring comfort and immediate aid with your help. By giving prayerfully and financially you can resource ongoing support and ensure that we can respond to new needs for families facing adversity.

For more news of relief fund grants, look at:

West Indies
Kenya
Sri Lanka
Indian Ocean