Ethiopia: Church close to landslide-stricken populations

In a message ACI Africa obtained on Thursday, July 25, Cardinal Berhaneyesus describes the landslide as tragic, noting that the Church in Ethiopia stands with those affected. “The Ethiopian Catholic Church expresses Her deepest sorrow over the devastating landslide that occurred on July 21, 2024, in Kencho Shacha Gozdi Kebele, Geze Gofa Woreda, Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia,” the Local Ordinary of Addis Ababa Catholic Archdiocese , who doubles as the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) says.

He adds, “This tragic event has resulted in a significant loss of life. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.”

He says that CBCE development office of the CBCE), the Vicariate of Sodo, and aid agencies had visited the disaster site and witnessed the extent of the damage.  Cardinal Berhaneyesus says that urgent rescue and humanitarian assistance is needed in the affected region, adding, “On behalf of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, I express my profound sorrow and assure you of our unwavering support to the affected zone.”

In his appeal for support of affected families, the CBCE President calls upon “all Catholics and people of goodwill to contribute in any way they can to the recovery efforts.”

Heavy rains are said to have triggered a landslide burying people in the Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia on July 21 night and a second one on July 22 reportedly engulfed those engaged in rescue efforts. In a Thursday, July 25 interview with ACI Africa, the Pastoral Coordinator of Soddo Vicariate, Fr. Yohannes Gugala, said that over 50,000 people have been affected by the disaster including displaced persons, those injured, and individuals who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

“The situation is escalating rapidly, with 28 neighbourhoods identified as being at risk. These areas are experiencing the most severe effects, including significant damage to infrastructure and homes,” Fr. Gugala said. Continued rainfall, the Ethiopian Catholic Priest said, “is a major concern, as it increases the likelihood of additional landslides.”

“This ongoing threat necessitates further evacuations and poses a significant challenge to emergency response efforts. The weather conditions are unpredictable, and the situation could deteriorate further if the rain persists,” he said. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Southern Ethiopia has been stricken by particularly heavy rain and flooding in recent months. While heavy rains and flooding are caused by a variety of factors, climate change is seen to increase the likelihood of extreme rainfall and deadly floods, resulting in landslides.

Agnes Aineah – ACI Africa