VATICAN - The Pope provides aid for seaquake victims through his charity office, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum: appeal to Catholics to support aid initiatives in local Churches

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II “has arranged for first emergency aid to be sent to the peoples affected by the violent earthquake and seaquake in South East Asia and also some countries in Africa". This is part of a communiqué issued by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Pope’s charity office, in the afternoon of on 28 December.
"On behalf of His Holiness - the statement says - through the respective Papal Representatives, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum has provide for relief aid in India, in Thailand, in Indonesia and Somalia".
"In the Church, as all over the world, a unanimous choir of brotherly solidarity has been raised to offer concrete help to the stricken peoples. The Italian Bishops Conference has assigned a sum of 3,000,000 di EURO, the Caritas network has already raised the sum of over two million US dollars. Caritas Austria, Caritas Holland, Caritas United States have sent experts to the affected areas to support the work of national Caritas offices. Jesuit Refugee Service JRS centres are supporting relief work in local Churches".
“Cor Unum, which on behalf of the Pope is closely following the development of events and the work of church organisations, appeals to Catholic individuals and communities to support with generosity initiatives organised by respective local Churches and charity organisations to hasten rebuilding and resettlement for the peoples so sorely affected by this devastating calamity". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/12/2004 - righe 19, parole 234)