Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Aid sent by Pope Benedict XVI sent through the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, is now in the hands of the earthquake victims of the Tibetan Autonomous Region of Yu Shu, the Province of Qing Hai hit by the earthquake on April 14. Fides has learned from Jinde Charities authorities that "the donation of $25,000 from the Holy Father Benedict XVI, who immediately launched an appeal for Yu Shu victims just a few hours after the tragedy, has now become blankets, tents, formula powder for small children, various vegetables and food items, to meet the most urgent needs, just as the Holy Father requested."
Jinde Charities is the Catholic Chinese charity that has been working on the scene from the first moment of the tragedy, and which operates in collaboration with Caritas International, Caritas Germany, and Caritas Australia, as well as with the mainland Catholic charitable groups, such as CSSC Xi An (Catholic Social Service Center of the Diocese of Xi An). With the aid of the international Catholic community and the donation of the Holy Father, Catholics have been able to offer a significant amount of emergency aid for earthquake victims until now. Jinde Charities announced that they have distributed 60 sets of toiletries (towels, toothbrush, toothpaste...), 800 school uniforms, 77 pairs of shoes for elementary school children of Yu Shu (where there were 5 deaths among children and teachers, 9 classrooms were destroyed, 53 students were injured), 10 tons of vegetables for 2,000 families, 300 tents, 590 folding beds, 465 mattresses, 325 sets for the night (blankets, sheets, pillows ....), 31 gas containers, 100 kilos of flour, 2,000 pounds of rice, 150 kilos of noodles, 400 liters of cooking oil, 800 personal hygiene kits for students and teachers, 2,300 women's personal hygiene kits (mostly for Buddhist nuns), electric generators and 1,000 miles of electric wires. All these aids were delivered to the needy through the intense work of Catholic volunteers.
The nuns and priests still continue today, more than a month after the earthquake, their mission of service and solidarity among the earthquake victims following the Pope's indications. Three religious go there on a daily basis to offer psychological support to 31 Tibetan children who are orphaned and many other services rendered by the Catholic community shine as a witness of faith, love, and hope for the earthquake victims. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 28/05/2010)
