A second wave of COVID-19 in the Amazon region of Brazil.

The situation in the Amazon region of Brazil is very concerning. There is a second wave of COVID-19 in the region, not least in the regional capital Manaus. The Bishop of the Amazon Mission Region of the Methodist Church in Brazil, Fabio Cosme, shares with us what Methodist Churches in the region are doing to support their communities:

“The second wave of COVID-19 has been devastating. Our healthcare has collapsed. Our hospitals are overcrowded to the point where they are having to refuse care as there are no more available beds, either on normal wards or in intensive care. This applies to public and private healthcare facilities and patients are being transferred to other states within the country.

A curfew is currently in place, banning the movement of people on the streets between 7 pm to 6 am and is expected to be extended. This measure is necessary to attempt infection control, but it also worsens the capital's economic situation, jeopardising businesses.

During this crisis, many families have experienced challenges such as illness, the lack of financial and material resources and emotional distress due to all these issues.

Given this context, the Methodist Church is mobilising support for families through the SOS Manaus Campaign, which aims to raise donations for resources, food, hospital supplies, personal hygiene and other current needs.

Pastors, members of the Methodist Church and other volunteers are already working on this cause. Everyone can be part of this campaign and miracle of God through their prayers and support. With faith and by joining forces, we will overcome this evil in the name of Jesus.

In Christ,

Bishop Fabio Cosme da Silva, President of the Amazon Missionary Region- REMA”.

Please pray for the Methodist Church in Brazil as they respond and help the community.

In July 2020 The Methodist Church in Brazil REMA missionary region  received £15,000 from the World Mission Fund to support faith community development and mission boat maintenance during COVID. Read more here.

Early in 2020 before lockdown, Carolyn Lawrence (Vice-President of the Methodist Conference 2020-21), visited the Methodist Church in Brazil. Here, she shares some of her reflections on a trip to see how a boat brings support to isolated Amazon villages.