A man from Steinbach is currently in Mozambique doing relief work with Canadian Red Cross following last month's deadly cyclone. News agencies are reporting the March 14th storm killed more than one thousand people.

Sam Dueck is a technician, responsible for helping set up the field hospital. His tasks are to make sure all tents are set up and the infrastructure is in place, including the electrical system, water, fencing, lighting and security.

"Basically all the support services that a hospital will need so that the doctors and nurses can do what we're here for, which is providing care for the patients," explains Dueck.

Dueck says when he arrived in Beira, he saw the extent of the damage.

"Clearly there had been a lot of wind and a very large storm," he says.

Dueck notes hydro lines were down, buildings had shifted off their foundations and there was evidence of high water everywhere. As he moved further into the rural area of Nhamatanda, Dueck says there was water still standing. He notes people had moved to higher ground near the highway and a lot of temporary shelters were set up.

"There was grass caught up in the hydro lines," he recalls. "So the water had been very high in a lot of places."

Dueck says the road is down to single lane in a lot of places as the sheer force of the water has destroyed a lot of infrastructure. And, even though many houses are under water, Dueck says the people are resilient.

"They are strong, they are rebuilding, many are in good spirits, there's hope, and that is great to see," he says. "Rebuilding efforts have started and we are here to help them on their path to recovery."

Dueck says thank-you to all Canadians that have already donated to this cause. He says Canadians are very generous, having helped tremendously following many disasters around the world. Anyone wishing to donate to this cause is invited to visit canadianredcross.ca.

Dueck says around the world, we are all brothers and sisters worthy of being cared for with dignity and respect and treated equally. He says that is why people in Steinbach should care about a natural disaster like this, across the globe.

(Sam Dueck with Red Cross technicians in Mozambique.)