Hue (Agenzia Fides) - A delegation from the Vietnamese Bishops' Conference visited the areas of central Vietnam affected by the recent floods. Expressing solidarity and solidarity with the flood victims, giving consolation and hope and also providing material help. "We prayed for the people and those affected and asked them to remain resilient in these times of need", says in a note sent to Agenzia Fides, Bishop Paul Nguyèn Thai Hop, at the head of the diocese of Hà Tinh, which initially included families in the Luong Van parish in the Archdiocese of Hue. On 21 October, the Bishops' delegation visited the parishes of My Chanh and Trung Quan in the same Archdiocese. "This is truly a miracle for our parish" said the parish priest of My Chanh, when welcoming the delegation of Bishops.
The Bishop of Da Nang, Mgr. Joseph Dang Duc Ngan, reported that "the tears did not express pain and suffering, but joy and happiness like that of children, who feel loved and understood by their parents". Men and women religious accompanied the Bishops who distributed the humanitarian aid to the families affected.
The delegation crossed the whole region in small boats to reach the brothers and sisters in Trung Quan parish in Ha Tinh diocese.
After the severe floods of October 16, entire regions in various regions of Central Vietnam are under water. The people here are still in shock because the floods came very quickly and were of the same magnitude. Father Quan Trung Quan says: "I heard cries for help in the middle of the night and hurriedly sent the young people of the village to save the families and bring them to the church to provide refuge". Church institutions and religious orders were also affected by the floods.
Bishop Emmanuel Nguyên Hong Son of Bà Ria, on behalf of all Vietnamese bishops, encouraged the flood victims and said: "Remain confident even in times of need and do not be discouraged. You can rely on the love of the Lord who never leaves us. We pray that God's blessings continue to flow into the hearts of many benefactors who share their goods to help rebuild your future".
A total of 105 people died in Vietnam in severe floods and landslides caused by weeks of heavy rain. Another 27 people are missing. The floods flooded over 178,000 homes and nearly 7,000 hectares of crops. (SD-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 23/10/2020)