Jesuits in Central Vietnam are responding to a flood crisis, where 84 people are confirmed dead and another 34 are missing, following the country’s third typhoon in a month.
With 200,000 people isolated and over 75,000 houses collapsed or submerged in flood water, Jesuit priests, nuns, Buddhist monks and local governors have collaborated in creating a relief program for flood victims that aims to provide 20 tons of rice and emergency assistance to 2,000 vulnerable families.
After many days of irregular, torrential rain from September to date, the typhoons combined with the discharge of water from nine hydroelectric dams, have left thousands of families stranded in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, with no access to food, water or shelter.
‘Pastoral halls of 40 parishes in selected areas will be used as a place for distributing 2,000 packs of food supplies and drinking water to beneficiaries,’ said Father Peter Phuc SJ, Head of the Jesuit Social Apostolate Ministry of the Vietnam Province.
With the floods decimating over 300,000 hectares of rice and fruit plantations, and killing 50,000 domestic animals, the Jesuits are looking to later prioritise the distribution of seedlings and livestock to restore the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
Once flooding eases, financial support will additionally be distributed to repair 500 damaged houses. ‘It is heartbreaking to hear of the immense loss experienced by our Vietnamese brothers and sisters,’ said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission. ‘We at Jesuit Mission are doing everything we can to support the Province in Vietnam, who are doing a fantastic job in providing immediate relief to the most affected communities. Any donation towards their vital efforts will make an enormous difference on the ground.’
Jesuit Mission stands in solidarity with the devastated families in Vietnam, and urges our supporters to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
To make a donation to Jesuit Mission for the Relief Program for Flood Victims go to https://jesuitmission.org.au/v...
