Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
EPA
Maumere (Agenzia Fides) - "Here in our city and diocese of Maumere, we have not been hit by the terrible tropical cyclone Seroja (see Fides, 8/4/2021) which, on the other hand, has disastrously affected the diocese of Larantuka and some of its islands, in particular those of Adonara and Lembata, about 150 km from us", writes to Agenzia Fides Father Luigi Galvani, a Camillian missionary on the island of Flores. "The two islands, which I have visited a few times to promote vocations - continues the missionary - are very poor, but they have their own particular richness: they are mostly Catholic and this certainly favors the birth of many religious and priestly vocations".
"From the news we have received, the powerful cyclone has affected not only Flores, but also some areas of the island of Timor in Malacca, diocese of Atambua and in Kupang. There, for example, the population is still without electricity. In the midst of so many difficulties and suffering for thousands of people, we are attending a solidarity race, especially from the Catholic religious organizations of Caritas Indonesia. The islands of Flores and Timor are the two islands with a Catholic majority in all of Indonesia, and to see that the Catholic Church mobilizes so generously to serve the needs of these people is moving".
As Father Galvani tells us "we Camillians, in our own small way, have sent two young students to visit the islands of Adonara and Lembata to assess the situation and classify the most urgent needs. The needs are many, but we have been told that food, water and psychological support are the priorities. Specifically, with the help of some local benefactors, we have already shipped 3 tons of rice, 300 packs of noodles and thousands of vitamins. All this coordinated with the Caritas of the diocese of Larantuka. We will surely not cease in our efforts to promote more support initiatives, perhaps with the arrival of other providential external aid to be close to those people who, in addition to suffering ordinary poverty, now have more to overcome. Certainly it will not be easy, but everything is possible for those who believe", emphasizes the missionary.
"Regarding the situation of Covid 19, - concludes Fr. Luigi - here on our island, fortunately, infections are limited. But the difficulties are not lacking for many people who have lost their jobs. Every month we provide food parcels to a couple of hundred families in particolar need".
According to official statistics, the cyclone caused at least 165 deaths in Indonesia and 37 in East Timor, while more than 55 are missing. The Indonesian Disaster Management Agency has taken steps to search for possible survivors or missing persons among the mountains of rubble. (LG/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 9/4/2021)
