ASIA/FILIPPINES - Natural disaster in Leyte: Catholic organisations fully involved in relief efforts. The Pope sends a message of sympathy. A local missionary calls for “respect for creation and sustainable development”

Saturday, 18 February 2006

Manila (Fides Service) - With regard to the recent tragic mudslide in Leyte central Philippines which caused the death a still unknown number of people, Fr . Eliseo Mercado, Oblate Missionary of Immaculate Mary on the telephone from Manila said “This tragedy has been a lesson for everyone. For the country because unchecked deforestation has a boomerang effect against man and the poorest people are always the victims. For the Church because as the institution with the longest memory and tradition it has the duty to keep attention focused on environmental sustainability and respect for creation. The disaster reminds us that the balance in creation and nature is the work of God ”. Tons of mud buried the village of Guinsaugon and surrounding area in a few seconds and the number of people missing is between 1,500 and 3,000. Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered for available resources in the country to be mobilised and called for help from the international community.
Hampered by bad weather, rescue workers continue their search particularly near the village school were 200 children and a number of adults are thought to be buried.
On behalf of the Pope Cardinal Angelo Sodano addressed a message to the Bishop of Maasin, Bishop Precioso Cantillas. The Cardinal expressed the Holy Father’s sympathy and hope that relief efforts would be “swift and generous”, and encouragement for the relief workers assuring his prayers and blessing as a pledge of comfort and strength.
In response to the Pope’s appeal Caritas Internationalis which is conducting an operation of monitoring and alerted 162 national Caritas members of the Federation. “We assure our prayers for the people of Leyte”, said Duncan Mac Laren, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, “and our full commitment to providing support and aid to the victims of the tragedy”. Local Church workers and volunteers connected to parishes are helping to distribute food, clean water, clothing and blankets. They are also helping to contact families of the homeless, to assess specific needs and to help those most in need.
Caritas Italy has mobilised its resources and commitment. The governor of the affected Province Rosette Lerias said that at least 500 homes in Guinsaugon were destroyed by the mudslide which came after weeks of relentless rain. In November 1991 6,000 people died in a similar mudslide in the same area. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/2/2006 righe 28 parole 287)


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