Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
CBM_Italia
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "We offer our prayers to all the victims of the super typhoon Ompong especially those who perished due to landslides. It is difficult enough to witness the devastation around us: the damage to roads, homes, crops, livelihood, and other facilities. But even more tragic that human lives have been lost.
We commend all those who are involved in the relief, including all concerned people, for the outpouring of spiritual and moral support, and for various goods they contributed to help our affected brethren", says Mgr. Victor B. Bendico, Bishop of Baguio in his statement, after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the Philippines on September 15th. Wind gusts up to 205 kilometers per hour and violent rains uprooted trees, destroyed roofs and caused landslides and floods, spreading terror everywhere. So far, the passage of Mangkhut has caused 81 deaths, 250 thousand people have been affected in 30 provinces of the country, in particular the north of Luzon has been devastated.
"We must avoid all kinds of accusations and recriminations", the Bishop continues. "Let us stop using the misery of others as an instrument of selfish propaganda that does not help, but instead sows confusion and further division. We can do better. Let us leave aside the political policies of blame and focus on the sincere concern for the poor and the marginalized. These times of suffering require great human solidarity and cooperation. Driven by the common desire to help the victims, we demonstrate once again that, united in a single people of Baguio and Benguet, no super typhoon can dampen our hope, no tragedy can ever defeat the greatness of the human spirit and our faith in God", concludes Mgr. Bendico.
People with disabilities in emergencies have a double mortality rate compared to others. They struggle to save themselves, they cannot access humanitarian aid because they do not hear warnings and emergency messages, they are not included in the rescue plans, they cannot access basic humanitarian operations (such as the distribution of food, water, access to shelters and health services). Emergencies can also increase the number of people who become disabled, both in the short and long term, due to the reported injuries and the lack of adequate medical services. In this sector we note the commitment of the NGO "Christian Blind Mission" (CBM). "Present in the Philippines since 2013, at the moment we are working to bring blind and disabled children and adults safe and secure shelter, water, food and medical assistance", Massimo Maggi, Director of "Christian Blind Mission" Italy (CBM), told Agenzia Fides. (AF/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 20/9/2018)
