Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – President Blaise Compaore has launched an appeal to the nation, to raise 1 billion CFA franks (1.5 million Euros) to help victims of flooding in the country, especially in the capital city of Ouagadougou, at the beginning of September.
The leader of Burkina Faso made note of the figures from the national disaster: 10% of the population of the capital (156,000 people) have been affected by the flood. The water has destroyed homes, as well as public and private buildings, claiming at least 8 lives. IN Ouagadougou, there have been 25,000 homes destroyed, in addition to 180 in the rest of the country.
The President and Ministers have promised to donate a month's pay for the victims.
Archbishop Francois Rouamba of Koupela, President of the Bishops' Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger, launched an appeal for national and international solidarity. “In a spirit of fraternity and in faith and hope, we the Bishops offer our profound sympathy in these painful circumstances, to all the victims and their families. We assure you of our effort and fraternal prayer and entrust all those who have lost their lives to God's mercy. We express our solidarity to the government of Burkina Faso, to the facilities and city administration of Ouagadougou, who have made a great effort in the rescue process. In these circumstances, we are all called to act,” the Bishops' message said. Archbishop Rouamba also affirmed that the parishes of Ouagadougou and the ecclesial bas communities were also set in motion to help the victims. In addition, “the emergency aid department of the Catholic Organization for Development and Solidarity (OCAD), the diocesan Caritas of Ouagadougou, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have also been working since the first day.” In order to respond to the short-term and long-term needs, the Bishops are launching “an urgent appeal for concrete solidarity to all Christians and men of good will, counting on the generosity of each and all.”
The Church has decided to donate the Mass offerings from the parishes to those in need and begin drives for clothing, blankets, food, and other basic need items.
“We trust that the media will continue its work of awareness to spread word of this campaign, so necessary in these circumstances. While we are organizing assistance of the victims on a local level, we also want to launch an urgent appeal to all our sister Churches and friends, to help us in this effort of solidarity. We thank all those who have already assisted us in the name of faith in God and man,” the message concludes.
In addition to Burkina Faso, other western African nations have also been affected by flooding in recent days. According to data from the UN Regional Office for Humanitarian Affairs, there are over 592,000 people affected by the flooding.
In Niger the number of victims is 67,000; in Ghana 55,000; in Benin 20,000, in Guinea Conakry 15,000; in Gambia 8,700; in Mauritania between 8,000 and 10,000; in Ivory Coast nearly 2,000; in Sierra Leone 1,500. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2009)
