Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Branquinha (Agenzia Fides) – In June, heavy rain falls in the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, have caused 40 deaths and 600 missing persons. The situation became dramatic when rising water levels in the two states caused floods affecting over 150,000 people (see Fides 22/6/2010). The press release issued Monday, June 28 by the Coordination of Civil Defense of Pernambuco says that 12 towns have declared a state of emergency. Last week, the state of Pernambuco registered 18 deaths from flooding and 67 municipalities were damaged. In the state of Alagoas, the situation is even worse, with 34 dead and 28 communities affected.
A note sent to Fides from a local Salesian community, also published by the ANS, reports that among the places where a serious state of emergency has been declared are Murici and Branquinha. The latter been one of the most severely damaged areas; the Mayor Renata Moraes told the media that the situation was desperate: “We are without light, without drinking water, without communications. There is nothing left. The floods have swept away the clinic, the schools, the shops and all the offices of the Municipal Council. The people have lost everything.”
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Murici and Branquinha were part of a group of centres which were called the “Missionary Region” and accommodated Italian Salesians from the Twinned Provinces of Verona and Recife. At present only at Matriz de Camaragibe is there a Salesian presence with the parish and youth centre. The Rector of this community now, Fr Bernardino Roana, was parish priest in Branquinha and in 1989 had a similar experience.
The disaster has been followed by the local and national media and help has arrived. The Matriz de Camaragibe parish, also damage by the floods, has organized various campaigns inviting charity and making collections of food and clothes to be sent to the Branquinha parish.
The Brazilian Bishops' Conference continues to encourage solidarity and support for the Caritas campaign “SOS Pernambuco and Alagoas” (see Fides 24/6/2010). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/01/2010)
