Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Xi Ning (Agenzia Fides) – Aid for earthquake victims continues to be collected and distributed through the network of the Chinese and international Catholic community, in response to the appeal made by Pope Benedict XVI. Five 2,000-kilowatt generators of electricity and 30 tons of fresh vegetables arrived in the earthquake zone of Yu Shu in the Province of Qinghai that was affected by the severe 7.1 earthquake on April 14 of this year. According to a report sent to Fides from Jinde Charities, the idea of sending generators and vegetables came about from a casual conversation between Fr. J. B. Zhang – head of the Chinese Catholic institution responsible for coordinating charity efforts in collaboration with Caritas International and Caritas in different countries - with a Tibetan monk. On April 24, during his layover at the Beijing Airport en route to the earthquake zone, Fr. Zhang met a Tibetan monk that was also working as an aid coordinator for the earthquake victims. Asking his opinion about the needs of earthquake victims, the monk suggested precisely the generators and fresh vegetables, which he thought were the most urgent needs. Fr. Zhang immediately contacted the Emergency Office of Jinde Charities, Caritas Germany, and the Center for Social Services of the Diocese of Xi An, who are collaborating closely to assist earthquake victims. On April 26, just two days later, 5 electric generators and 30 tons of fresh vegetables, nutritious and easy to store, reached the recipients. The five electric generators were allocated to the orphanage, the Tibetan Buddhist temple, the Buddhist Institute, the municipal library, and the authority of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of Yu Shu.
Meanwhile, the Chinese religious, from different religious congregations mainland, continue their rescue work tirelessly. Although some symptoms begin to appear as a result of the altitude (the site of the earthquake is in an inaccessible area, at 4,300 meters above sea level and has sharp contrasts in temperature), the sisters are active in every area, without neglecting, of course, their prayer life. Every day they go to various centers to offer medical and psychological support to earthquake victims. The 10 religious visit an average of about 200 patients a day, at times walking distances of tens of kilometers. 4 religious are serving in two orphanages. Only on April 24, after 8 days of non-stop rescue work, the sisters were able to eat a hot meal for the first time. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 28/04/2010)
