Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nan Ning (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic community of mainland China is once again in front line to provide assistance for victims of recent floods on 13 June in various parts of southern China, which caused 199 deaths and damage for about 5 billion euro, and left thousands of people homeless. According to information collected by Fides, the director of Jinde Charities, China's Catholic Charity agency, immediately contacted Bishop Tan Yan Quan, in the diocese of Nan Ning, Guang Xi Province, the area most affected by the floods, to coordinate rescue work and assistance. The Bishop sent his priests and some diocesan office workers to the most critical areas to assess the situation and the real needs of the people. Jinde Charities workers are now planning operations for each individual community, according to needs. According to official figures issued by China's Civil Affairs Ministry, on 22 June, at 11am local time floods had affected 10 provinces and some 29,135 people in southern China, causing 199 dead, 123 missing persons, 2,376 evacuated from flooded homes and farmland, and damages worth 5 billion euro.
Moreover, Jinde Charities with CSSC Xi An (Catholic Social Service Centre of the Diocese of Xi An), Caritas Internationalis and Caritas in many countries, continue to provide assistance to people in the Autonomous Region of Yu Shu, Qing Hai Province, affected by a violent earthquake on 14 April. Between 17 and 19 June they distributed dietary supplements worth 10,012 euro, for 658 children aged 0 to 5 years, suffering from malnutrition due to the earthquake. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 22/06/2010 - righe 24; parole 274)
