BEIJING (Fides): The Diocese of Shanghai donated 500,000 Yuan [$566,000] in support of the people of Hebei province who were impacted by the recent floods caused by the effects of Typhoon Doksuri which caused severe flooding in Beijing, Tianjin and several areas of Hebei province between late July and early August`.
Around 500 sets of sheets and blankets were donated to the city of Gaobeidian on August 18 through Jinde Charities. The ongoing response saw materials and tools for housing recovery and reconstruction also being sent.
Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai, said that the suffering and difficulties caused by the floods touched the hearts of the faithful. He asked them to continue their donations and offer more help for those in affected areas. He asked for prayers for a “speedy end to the emergency caused by the natural disaster”.
Bishop Shen also called on everyone to protect and safeguard Creation as continuously exhorted by Pope Francis.
The Chinese Catholic community, one of whose largest settlements is in Hebei, rushed to provide relief and emergency services and organise help.
Several batches of relief materials worth a total of 1,200,560 Yuan [$1,359,164] were sent to disaster areas thanks to the donations collected. Charities and voluntary organisations distributed the aid in coordination with civil authorities, and local United Front and Civil Protection Affairs. In particular, the Catholic community of Tangshan was able to collect 100,350 Yuan [$113,600] in a few days; the parish of Taihu in Wuxi, founded only 16 years ago, donated 30,770 Yuan [$34,830] collected during the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
Many Catholics volunteered to bring aid to people affected by the floods, responding quickly to the call to help people facing emergencies and disasters.
Chen Baolu, who has extensive experience in humanitarian aid said, “The strength of a single person is limited, but the unity of all people can bring greater assistance to affected areas.”
