AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Mgr. García Peláez: "Solidarity before the dramatic situation of the flood victims"

Saturday, 7 May 2016 environment   area crisis   natural catastrophe  

Istmina (Agenzia Fides) - An appeal for solidarity for the victims of the recent floods: says the Colombian Episcopal Conference, relaunching the appeal of Mgr. Julio Hernando García Peláez, Bishop of the diocese of Istmina-Tadó, who highlights the dramatic situations many families are living.
The territory of the department of Chocó, western Colombia, has been plagued recently by the El Niño phenomenon, which is causing heavy rains, floods and flooding in many South American countries.
"The condition of houses and the quality of life should be improved once and for all - said Mgr. Garcia - especially families with several children". The need is to have a house "that is appropriate, not easily subject to flooding, in order to give a definitive solution to the problem".
The Bishop launches an appeal to national and international organizations and to all people of good will, so that they express their solidarity to the affected people, pointing out that African indigenous peoples are the most exhausted because they "are suffering a fatal blow to their economic activities".
The volunteers of the national Social and diocesan Pastoral are providing assistance to people who are accommodated in hotels or in parishes. Currently, always through the social pastoral and Caritas, people are assisted with food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, medicines and items for personal hygiene. So far 17 people have died, 53 wounded and over 9,000 families are homeless due to heavy rains and floods across the country. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 07/05/2016)


Share: