Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rio de Janeiro (Agenzia Fides) – Church and ecumenical groups in Brazil are working side by side to help the thousands of people affected by the devastating floods and mudslides near Rio de Janeiro (see Fides 15/1/2011; 17/1/2011). In the past week, days of heavy rain have drenched hillside towns and more than 600 people have died, while another 14,000 people have been driven from their homes. The Episcopal Conference of Brazil has also launched a campaign, with churches making their buildings available to “shelter people left homeless by the flooding and receive the bodies of victims.” The inter-church ACTAlliance said its member organisations in Brazil, including Christian Aid-Brazil, Koinonia, the Lutheran Federation of Diaconia (FLD), Ecumenical Coordinator of Services (CESE) and Diaconia, “will work together to help the affected populations.” Based in Geneva, ACTAlliance is composed of 105 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance and development. (AP) (9/1/2011 Agenzia Fides)
