MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –
Source: The Holy See in Italian
Caritas Nepal
Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) – “We have had three days of heavy rains and floods, which occurred from many small rivers and streams that overflowed. They are among the most intense that Nepal has ever seen in recent decades”, says to Agenzia Fides Fr. Silas Bogati, pro Apostolic Vicar of Nepal. “Now there is great suffering, thousands of people have lost their homes and everything they had at home, many do not know where to sleep. The situation is critical in Kathmandu and in many other areas of the country”, he notes. The pro-Vicar is located in the small village of Godavari, a few kilometers from the capital Kathmandu, where there is a Catholic Pastoral Center that carries out various activities. “Even some Catholic families who live here, near the river, are in conditions of poverty and penury. They have nothing. But there is already an effort of solidarity to help them”, he notes. The heavy rains that hit Nepal between 27 and 28 September caused widespread floods that affected thousands of families. According to initial estimates by government authorities, some 217 people, including 35 children, have lost their lives, while over 130 are injured and at least 26 are missing. Hundreds of homes have been damaged. Landslides, mud and debris have blocked major roads, both in the capital and in other districts, hindering relief efforts and access to essential services. In addition, 13 major hospitals have been damaged and water supplies are cut off in many areas, with damaging, sometimes life-threatening, consequences for health and nutrition. There are fears of an outbreak of waterborne (such as cholera) and vector-borne (such as dengue fever) epidemics. “The damage to 54 schools deprives more than 10,000 boys and girls of access to safe learning spaces,” UNICEF said. “Schools are closed and roads impassable, there is mud everywhere, here in Godavari and in the capital. Now Caritas Nepal is assessing the situation and will seek a prompt response to help the displaced, who have no food or clothing, nor a place to spend the night. Some volunteers from our parishes have already started working and are helping to clean the mud from the houses that are still habitable”, continues Fr. Silas Bogati. “In this situation of suffering and precariousness, we try to do our part, bringing aid and showing solidarity to all those in need. We will need help from abroad”, he concludes. Nepal is a country of about 30 million inhabitants with a Hindu majority (80%), while Christians of various confessions make up about 1% overall, including about 8 thousand Catholics. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/10/2024) Share:
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.