A local aid worker recently travelled to Mozambique to visit some of the most deprived communities in the southern African country. David Cross, an Ingleby Barwick resident, is CAFOD’s Diocesan Manager for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough.

He travelled to Mozambique with the Catholic aid agency CAFOD to learn how CAFOD’s partners are supporting local people in their efforts to survive in a country that has experienced 16 years of civil conflict and a cycle of acute flooding and drought.

David said: “Over 70 per cent of Mozambicans live in absolute poverty,
largely in rural areas. Mozambique had really picked itself up after 16
years of civil war but many gains were washed away in the floods of 2000 and 2001. This disaster affected a quarter of the 20 million population, devastated the country’s roads, left people homeless and destroyed agriculture. Then they suffered severe drought in 2002 leading to more food shortages. Only this year floods struck the centre of Mozambique once again. HIV and AIDS is also an issue that is facing the country and undermining development progress that has been achieved over the last few years.

People in the Middlesbrough Diocese donated over £300,000 to CAFOD last year. “Individuals, schools and parishes in Middlesbrough Diocese are always extremely generous when it comes to raising money for CAFOD,” said David.

“It’s thanks to their generosity and commitment to development issues that CAFOD can continue to work in areas like this and with communities living in such unpredictable circumstances.

CAFOD works with local communities in over 50 countries to help them meet their own needs. It does this through more than 500 partner organisations – trusted, local organisations staffed by local people who are working to reduce poverty.

For further information, photos and interviews please contact: David Cross on 07786 171367 or Tim Sowula on 020 7095 5561