Pictured above: The Anglican church in Kalbarri after the cyclone (supplied). Pictured below: Bluff Point Anglican Church (supplied), Kalbarri after the cyclone (Getty images)
Tropical Cyclone Seroja left a trail of damage and destruction as it made landfall in Western Australia, on Sunday April 11, 2021.
The Anglican Diocese of North West Australia, in partnership with ARDFA, is requesting you to support their work in providing material and spiritual assistance to their communities as they deal with the aftermath of the cyclone.
BIshop Gary Nelson, from the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia reports:
"Cyclone Seroja has caused widespread damage throughout the Mid-West and parts of the Wheat Belt to homes, businesses, farms and essential infrastructure. It will take months, if not years, to recover and our communities will need much support.
The town of Kalbarri has been very badly hit. More than 70% of properties are damaged and many livelihoods destroyed. The tourist town, which had just begun to recover with the return of visitors post Covid-19, is now in chaos. Our church will play a vital role during the recovery for many months and probably years.
Further south, the town of Northampton also suffered extensive damage, and our brothers and sisters are praying that this will be an opportunity for many people to turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
In the Chapman Valley we are making urgent arrangements to secure two churches which have lost parts of their roofs.
There has been extensive damage to the electricity network and communications infrastructure. Many towns and centres remain cut off from reliable contact with the outside world, uncertain of when basic infrastructure such as power and telecommunications will be restored. We hope to have more information on the extent of damage later today.
Our Anglican church family is caring for each other and, importantly, reaching out to the wider community to show the love of Christ and share the hope of the gospel.
We thank and praise God that we are not alone in our troubles.
The Lord is our rock and our redeemer and the prayers of the saints throughout Australia and the world are a terrific encouragement."
Give assistance to people in need through the church. Donations are tax deductible.
|