Anglicans Diocese of Lusaka applauded by Zambian Government

Bishop Njovu with Father Katete in Sinazongwe

…for providing 319 bags of mealie meal and 175 blankets to

Sinazongwe flood victims
By Derrick Sinjela in Sinazongwe, Southern Province, Zambia Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:11:54 -0800
THE Anglican Diocese of Lusaka has received commendation from the Zambian Government for being the first organisation to offer spiritual and material support to follow victims in Sinazongwe District.
Making the commendation, Sinazongwe District, District Administrative Officer (DAO), Sokoloka Daka, expressed delight that the Anglican Church was not just the first organisation but more importantly taken the frontline among ecumenical bodies offering comfort to over 3500 households affected by the heavy downpour of rain.
Daka praised Anglican, Diocesan Bishop, Right Reverend (Rt. Rev) David Njovu for coming forth with the 319 by 25 kilograms mealie meal and 175 blankets in aid of the victim’s whose 1500 hectares of agricultural fields and close to 500 livestock had been washed away.
Said an elated Daka: “We are elated that the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka has come to our aid to offer support in form of blankets and mealie meal, which we feel will go a long way in ameliorating the plight of flood victims. We are really grateful to you, especially that this is the first support we are receiving as a district.”
“We are certain that the 319 bags of mealie meal and the 175 blanks provided by the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka will ease the plight of flood victims,” said Daka, adding that the Zambian government had earlier provided K20 million the bulk of which was used to carryout an assessment on the impact of the floods.
Presenting the relief support, Bishop Njovu said the blankets and mea

Anglican-Diocese-of-Lusaka-Bishop-David-Njovu-with-Dean-Fr-Charley-Thomas-picture-by-Derrick-Sinjela.jpg

lie meal valued at K8 million were sourced through financial resources provided by the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), United States of America (USA) and the Diocese of Bath and Wells in the United Kingdom.
Bishop Njovu said Christians in the global Anglican Communion remained prayerful and shared compassion towards flood victims in Sinazongwe District.
“On behalf of pour partners, the Episcopal Relief and Development of America and our link parishes in the Diocese of bath and Wells in the United Kingdom who have jointly made this donation possible. We wish to happily hand over the items to you for eventual distribution to residents in Sinazongwe District. We pray that these donations will bring happiness and solace to the affected people. We pray God shall keep them safe from any dangers which may befall them,” said Bishop Njovu.
Bishop Njovu expressed sadness that the flood had caused so much suffering making people homeless and endangering sustainable development projects in Sinazongwe District.
Added Bishop Njovu: “We come here to share with you the plight which the flood victims have been undergoing in Sinazongwe District. The floods have caused so much misery among the people in almost all areas of Zambia and have brought so much suffering with houses being washed away, making roads impassable, flooding agricultural fields which in turn has made people to live without access to basic food and shelter.”
Bishop Njovu paid tribute to Satwart Singh Transporters for transporting the mealie meal to Sinazongwe from Lusaka and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation for ferrying the blankets from Livingstone to flood victims.
Father Jack Jones Katete from Livingstone parish, Father Moses Simundenda, parish priest for Choma and Kalomo, Mrs. Grace Lubeba the Diocesan Administrator and Anglican Diocese of Lusaka Programmes Officer, Mrs. Constance Njovu witnessed the handover ceremony of blankets and mealie meal.
Turning to the current mitigation efforts, Bishop Njovu applauded the

Bishop David Njovu, Archbishop Albert Chama and Arcbishop Rowan Douglas Williams at State House 11 Oct 2011 pix by Derrick Sinjela

Zambian Government for speedily responding to easing the socio-economic burden in Sinazongwe District.
“The Government has done quite a lot in alleviating the problems caused by floods by repairing the damaged road network and bridges and supplying relief items like blankets, food and tents. It is evident these items cannot go around to meet the needs of all the affected people in all the areas. It is for this reason that the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka decided to augment the efforts of the Zambian Government by also supplying some relief items like blankets and mealie meal.” Said Bishop Njovu.
Bishop Njovu pointed out that although, the Anglican Church knew that the items would not wash away all the problems afflicting flood victims.
“As Christians who believe in God we know that calamities are brought on by natural causes and most times cannot be controlled. We therefore need to pray for God to help us go through these trying times. Although we know that these items cannot wash away all the problems our friends are undergoing we pray that they will go some way in helping them,” said Bishop Njovu adding that Christians in the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka would continue to offer spiritual and material support.”