OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - The Bishop of Alotau’s appeal for the population

Alotau (Agenzia Fides) - "I launch an emergency appeal for the people of the Southeast of my diocese, Alotau. Thousands of people are suffering from a severe shortage of food and are starving because of Ita cyclone, which hit the southern coast of the Southeast last April, and destroyed most of their crops": is the message by Mgr. Rolando C. Santos, C.M, Bishop of Alotau, deeply concerned about a portion of the People of God entrusted to him. The Bishop told Fides: "Father Tony Young, MSC, pastor in Nimoa, has worked hard in demanding aid and distributing food to about 800 families. We have asked the help of the provincial government of Milne Bay. We are also appealing to local people, asking them to bring aid to the Church in these days of the Christmas novena", remarked Mgr. Santos. "Caritas Papua New Guinea provided humanitarian aid last May. However it is especially in this period that the people of Nimoa is experiencing a situation of serious need. We renew the appeal to the Caritas network but also to all other dioceses and institutions. We welcome any form of support". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2014)