Dozens of people have already been killed and 10,000 houses destroyed because of the severe flooding in Mozambique, Christian organisation Tearfund reported.
The flood has also collapsed bridges and brought down power supplies in Zambezia Province, disurupting the lives of 90,000 people.
The Anglican Diocese of Niassa, one of Tearfund's partners in Mozambique, has promptly sent response teams to some of the badly hit areas: Milange, Morrumbala and Mocuba districts in Zambezia province, and Mecanheles district in Niassa province.
"Eleven million people north of the Zambezi river have no electricity right now," shared Bishop Mark Van Koevering, Bishop of Niassa. "We are living in darkness with floods up to our necks, but there is hope."
While the floods have been damaging, the people were better prepared this time in responding to floods and many people were helped in reaching higher grounds before the floods even started. The church has also coordinated with the right people in the event of an emergency evacuation.
"For example, there are children who don't have able-bodied adults to help them, people who cannot walk and those who are sick. The government, churches and communities are all working together, which hopefully means there will be less loss of life than in previous floods," added Van Koevering.
Niassa and Zambezi provinces in Mozambique are prone to some flooding during this time of year, but the rains this 2015 have been more relentless than expected. "We had what must have been about a month's worth of rain in just one day," noted Van Koevering.
Not only did people lose lives and houses, but the floods claimed their crops and Tearfund says fields will remain inaccessible until flood waters finally drain away. That won't happen until the end of the rainy season in March.
"For the people affected, many of whom already live in precarious conditions, the impact of the floods is devastating. We are taking food, soap, water purification tablets and mosquito nets to some of the people who have been displaced," said Van Koevering.
"We will also take seeds and hoes, but I don't know how soon people will be able to use these. All the time the fields are underwater people cannot start planting again and their food reserves are dwindling. Some people have lost everything," he added.
While the bishop is thankful for the speedy response made by the national government and international partners, he said there is more to do since many people are stranded and their lives are at risk since it is extremely dangerous to cross the water due to the presence of crocodiles.
Earnest Maswera, Tearfund's Country Representative for Mozambique, said that the current situation will only worsen the food shortage experienced last year due to drought. He sought prayers for the people who have lost their homes and livelihoods to help them recover from the disaster.
