Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Multan (Agenzia Fides) – The serious emergency situation created by flooding in Pakistan continues. Fides was recently sent a note from Brother Luca Perletti, Secretary General of the Order of Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillo (Camillians), in which he offers an update on the commitment of the religious in this country battered by violence and natural disasters. "Father Aris Miranda, religious Camillian the Province of the Philippines, currently in Italy as a member of Camillian Task Force (CTF), a body of Camillians emergency response, has just left for Pakistan,” Br. Luca tells Fides. He will accompany Mushtaq Anjum, a Camillian, in bringing relief to the victims of the recent flooding.”
The Secretary General of the Camillians has sent Fides information on one of the missions of Mushtaq, who works with Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan, and often visits the camps of the displaced persons. "We started early in the morning to visit the Apostolic Carmelite Sisters, a few villages from the Diocese of Multan,” said Mustaq. “After many hours of traveling, often with the fear of being attacked, we arrived on site and we prepared the material to be distributed to the displaced. We were received about 300 men, sitting under the scorching sun. They were all Muslims. Disaster response knows no religion, race, or nation. They were all waiting to receive something from the boxes lined up in front of them. And perhaps there were some who would want to take large quantities in order to feed their family. But these men, so strong in the past, now appeared very vulnerable. In his message, the bishop assured everyone that the Church intends to offer her help to everyone. Our very presence is a message of strength and hope. Women, too, on the other side of the community, were sitting down or crouched waiting for the rations. Their faces told different stories. All showed the harshness of a life of hardship and toil. They wore their petition engraved in their face. The flooding has submerged them in misery! The distribution was not enough and we had to proceed to reorganize. Some left with packets of flour, others with food to cook, others with milk and water. However there is still a great need for food, medicine, and reconstruction materials. Before leaving, we were able to catch a glimpse of hope. The smiles of the young boys and girls is proof that hope has not yet been defeated. We have asked for help to start schooling again, the only way to go beyond a future of misery. As Camillians, we want to ensure that we will not stop working until these expectations can be met."
The operation of the CTF in Pakistan began September 15 and will continue for several months, in a spirit of fidelity to the mandate to "bear witness to the merciful love of Christ to the poor and the sick." The CTF currently manages projects in Abruzzo (2), Haiti, Chile, and now Pakistan. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2010)
