Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tabasco (Agenzia Fides) - Tabasco, in southern Mexico is living the worst tragedy in its history, due to floods which have affected 15 of the 17 municipalities in the state and which left more than one million people homeless and thousands still on rooftops hoping to be rescued. Crops have been destroyed. A government representative said 280,000 people need assistance, 70,000 homes have no electricity. Rains in Tabasco were 82 per cent higher than the average for the month of October and five times higher than the record level in 24 hours: these are the worst floods in 50 years. Rescue work continues and a healthcare crisis threatens.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Mexico issued a statement calling for national collections and prayers for the affected people. "In national emergencies - the statement says - experience shows that it is important to support rebuilding and resettling programmes. However the vastness of this tragedy calls for direct and immediate intervention". The Bishops say these phenomena "reveal the tragedy of poverty in all its vastness, and the vulnerability of millions of Mexicans living in danger zones, because poverty led them to live with families in neglected areas."
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico, appealed to lay people, religious, deacons, priests to "participate in a great crusade of solidarity for the Tabasqueño people ", since "no one can remain passive in the face of this tragedy."
The diocese of Saltillo has organised a Week of Solidarity with Tabasco, 5 - 9 November together with the diocesan Commission for Social Pastoral, a local Food Bank and Caritas. Bishop Raúl Vera Lopez, asked every parish, school, association, movement to promote solidarity for the people of Tabasco and to collect money. He called on parish priests, rectors, directors of schools, heads of movements and associations to co-ordinate the Week of Solidarity in every community.
Director of Caritas in Tabasco diocesan, Fr. Saúl di Jesús Solís, said Caritas was among the first to provide relief assistance and promoted a campaign to make every parish a centre for channelling aid to people in need. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/11/2007; righe 35, parole 479)
