AFRICA/DJIBOUTI - COVID-19 - The Bishop of Djibouti: "courage to you in Rome and in Italy"

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 coronavirus healthcare solidarity

INTERNET

DJIBOUTI

2024-01-13
Resignation and appointment of bishop of Djibouti

2022-10-10
New cycle of violence? after the assault on a military base with the death of 7 soldiers

2021-12-15
The small but significant presence of a Church in dialogue

2021-07-03
Consolata missionaries alongside disabled children to "promote the dignity and integral development of the person"

2021-02-26
Mutual solidarity, rediscovery of fundamental human values: Christians and the pandemic

2021-01-27
The pandemic increases the vulnerability of street children: the Church offers hospitality

Djibouti (Agenzia Fides) - "The enemy has arrived here in Djibouti: there are two confirmed cases," says Mgr. Giorgio Bertin, Bishop of Djibouti to Agenzia Fides.
"Our cathedral has been closed since last Saturday: only about ten of us who live inside the compound continue to celebrate Mass. We started broadcasting Masses on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening on Facebook, as well as the Via Crucis on Friday evening. The faithful have understood and appreciate the importance of these initiatives", continues the Bishop. "Unfortunately there are no volunteers for the service we offer with our Caritas Djibouti to street children and we have been forced to cut back on activities. Among the preventive measures ordered by local authorities, the airport was closed and the railway line to Ethiopia was interrupted. In addition, service staff deemed non-essential must be left at home, schools have been closed since last Friday. The mosques are also closed".
"The situation is not so tragic - adds Mgr. Bertin - but one has to be on guard. Courage to you in Rome and in Italy", he concludes.
The local Ministry of Health has set up a toll-free number to inform the population of the hygiene measures to be observed and to contact in case of need for a medical team. Every day the health authorities send a message on each local number with the prevention measures to be followed.
The civil and military health authorities have joined forces to strengthen health control at the arrival points and set up the Bouffard hospital for quarantine as well as a treatment center for serious cases in the hospital in Arta. (GB/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2020)