Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Fides Service) - Catholic aid agency Caritas India has announced a contribution of 7 million dollars for reconstruction in earthquake affected areas of Kashmir. An extraordinary commitment, the concrete expression of the local Church’s solidarity with the stricken people, mainly Muslims. “We are working at a global project which includes supplying tents for emergency; repair and rebuilding of homes and three years of support for education and healthcare for people in the affected area” said Caritas India spokesman Varghese Mattamana.
Caritas is distributing emergency aid in seven localities in the region of Uri, the most affected area of Indian Kashmir, as well as villages in the district of Baramulla. It has requested permission from the Indian and Pakistan governments to pass the ‘check line’, the frontier between Kashmir India and Kashmir Pakistan. The Catholic agency has already supplied over 20,000 blankets, 10,000 tents and thousands of food rations.
From over the border Caritas Pakistan workers testify to gratitude expressed by Muslims and public opinion for immediate aid in disaster areas by western governments and organisations, particularly from Europe and the United States.
“International solidarity can help heal the rift between the West and Muslim countries caused by 9/11/2001 attacks”, said a volunteer of “Action for a United World”. “We try to offer support to the suffering, listen to them, assist and wash them. Traumatised people need to share their pain. We realise that our presence is important, we are concrete signs of God’s love for all men and women. We learn a lot from these poor people who struggle to survive despite their tragic stories. Many have lost the whole family. But faith makes them believe that despite everything there exists a loving God, and helps the recognise what is truly of value in life”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2005 righe 24 parole 252)
