«Urgent: Crisis in Mozambique»

Dear Friends,

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are grateful to have so much when so many others in our world are not as fortunate. We think of those affected by the hurricanes and others who are suffering . . . particularly the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children on the verge of starvation. That's why I am writing to you; it is critical that we act as quickly as possible.

At this moment, more than 435,000 people living in Mozambique -- in southeastern Africa -- are desperately in need of food, water and medicine. Unless they receive immediate assistance, the severe drought and widespread famine that have affected the region for the last few years will claim countless lives.

"The rains that were hoped for last spring did not come," explains Fr. Hugh Seenan.
Fr. Hugh is one of our missionaries working in Beira -- in the southern part of Mozambique.
"As a result, crops have failed completely . . . and this isn't the first time. During the last four
years -- much of the needed rain has failed to come. So not only do we not have crops now --
but we haven't had them for the last few years either. This means that food has become
increasingly scarce."

I have also heard from another one of our missionaries in Mozambique, Fr. John O'Donoghue. "The lack of food and water are a problem for everyone in this region," he explains. "But those being most affected are young children, the elderly and those who are suffering with diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. Fr. John lives in Chimoyo -- about a day's journey northwest of Fr. Hugh's mission in Beira.

"The situation is bleak, but the outlook is especially bleak for the people of Mozambique," Fr. John continues. "Water levels in lakes, rivers and streams have already begun falling at dramatic rates. One eight mile stretch of a nearby river is completely dry. So even if farmers had seed to plant -- there is very little water to be found."

"I've heard reports that as many as 435,000 people may die,"

he writes, "but that number will go higher in the next few months. The longer we go without rainfall, the harder it will be to recover from this devastation."

"To make matters worse, since there is such little food in the country -- whatever food that's available is being sold at incredibly high prices. This means that those who are poor cannot afford to buy food! It is a very serious situation! Unless we do something now -- unless we receive some immediate emergency relief -- more than 200,000 more people will be starving before the end of the year!

My friend, at this very moment, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Mozambique -- and throughout much of southern Africa -- do not have enough food to eat. Children will go to bed hungry tonight . . . and wake up famished in the morning. Nursing mothers will not be able to feed their infants because these young women are too severely malnourished. Those who are already sick will probably die prematurely because of the added strain of malnutrition.

I am praying that we can send at least $50,000 for immediate relief for those near Fr. Hugh's
and Fr. John's missions in southern Mozambique. These funds will be used to help purchase rice, maize, beans, dry milk, water, medicine and medical supplies for those who are most at risk of dying. I don't know what amount you can send, but a gift of $1,500 would help purchase several pallets of cereal grain. A donation of $500 -- or whatever amount you can send -- would help provide an emergency shipment of water!

Whatever you do, please respond to my letter as quickly as possible! Time is running out for too many people . . . especially those who are most at risk of dying such as young children, nursing mothers, the sick and the elderly. And please know that any amount you send will be a blessing for those who are in such dire need. God bless you for your kindness and caring.

Your Missionary Friend,
Fr. John P. Lynch, M. Afr.