VATICAN (CNS): Pope Francis is sending nearly a quarter of a million US dollars to help people in Haiti, who are struggling in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake during a global pandemic.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Integral Human Development said in a communiqué on August 24 that the pope had decided to send “an initial contribution” of US$235,000 [$1.83 million] to assist the earthquake victims during this “emergency phase,” following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14.
At least 2,200 people died, more than 12,000 others were injured and nearly 53,000 houses destroyed, according to local authorities.
The donation is meant to be “an immediate expression” of Pope Francis’ “feeling of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement” for the people there.
The money will be distributed—in collaboration with the Vatican’s nunciature in Haiti—to those dioceses most affected by the disaster, the dicastery said. It will add to the aid being sent throughout the Catholic Church thanks to efforts led by bishops’ conferences and numerous charitable organisations.
The dicastery said the pope had also decided to send an initial emergency contribution of about US$69,000 [$537,400] to the people of Bangladesh, who were hit by Cyclone Yaas in May. Tidal waves flooded coastal settlements and damaged homes, dikes and crops. The seawater contaminated ponds and drinking water sources.
The pope was also sending about US$120,000 [$934,600] to the people of Vietnam, who are facing serious difficulties because of the Covid-19 pandemic
