*Warning: content includes mention of violence that may be upsetting to some readers
Ibraimo’s youngest daughter was born in the bush. His wife, Viagem, had to give birth there while hiding from violent militia groups who came to their village, killing people and setting homes on fire. She says: ‘We still remember as fresh as yesterday the night we almost perished, but God was with us.’ Their story is horrifying. Viagem tells us, ‘The next morning we found dead bodies in the bush and beside the road. My aunt and her children lost their lives that night, and still today we don’t know where my sister is, who was 22 years old and pregnant.’
Ibraimo, Viagem and their two daughters have found shelter in a community where there are many other people who have also had to flee the violence that is ravaging parts of northern Mozambique. There is no work available, what little the family does have is susceptible to theft, and Viagem has to walk a long way each day to access water. It’s not clean water, but it’s all there is.
Having lost everything when their home was set on fire, the family was grateful to receive a food package through our local church partner. For families like Ibraimo’s, the emergency food packages are a vital safeguard against hunger. Viagem says theirs arrived just at the right time. ‘It was small, but made a difference to our lives.’ she says. ‘It made us realise we are not alone, we have a family who cares and thinks of us.’
As well as the violence in the region, worsening tropical storms have caused widespread destruction of homes, schools, medical centres and crops – making the overall situation even worse.
Right now, our brothers and sisters in Mozambique need our help urgently. Your gift today will help us to provide vital, life-saving supplies to more people who are in desperate need in Mozambique.