Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kingston (Agenzia Fides) – The Antilles are now suffering the passage of the Atlantic hurricanes: on Saturday, October 30, the islands of Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, were affected by the category 1 hurricane called Tomas. According to reports to Fides from Fr. Donald Chambers, STD, regional director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), it is a tragedy far greater than it seemed at first. The storm left severe damage to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, and many private properties. Many roads, especially in the mountainous area, are blocked by heavy landslides.
Saint Lucia has been the most affected of the three islands, with 14 people dead and 80% of the island without electricity. The prime minister has declared a state of emergency for the entire island. St. Vincent, the northernmost island of the group, was severely affected.
"I have been in contact with the PMS Diocesan Directors of the three islands and they also have much to do," reported Father Chambers. Sister Paula, on Saint Lucia, is going around to the schools to assess the damage and bring comfort to teachers and students.
The hurricane is headed towards the Caribbean Basin and is gathering strength. Fortunately, for the people of Jamaica, the weather system is predicted to take a 90 degree turn east of Jamaica, although in this way Tomas will head towards Haiti and the Dominican Republic. "Please pray especially for the people of Haiti, who are still trying to recover from the earthquake in January 2010, with the majority of people still living in tents and are now facing the more recent outbreak of cholera," says Father Donald Chambers, STD , who lives in Kingston (Jamaica). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 03/11/2010)
