By The newspaper
May 9, 2024, 3:24 PM EDT
Pope Francis sent a donation of 100,000 euros, equivalent to about 500,000 reais, to the population affected by the floods that have devastated the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, since the beginning of May.
The donation through the nunciature was confirmed by the Archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB), Jaime Spengler, to the Vatican media.
“The Pontiff’s help came through Apostolic Charity and is intended to be a concrete gesture especially for the numerous displaced people who lost their homes due to the catastrophe. The sum will be sent to the South Region 3 of the National Episcopal Conference of Brazil, the region that covers all of Rio Grande do Sul, to help it in any way possible,” Spengler explained.
At the end of the Regina Caeli last Sunday, May 5, the pontiff had already expressed his solidarity with the people affected by the heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul. “May the Lord welcome the deceased, console the families and those who have had have to leave their homes,” he said.
100 confirmed deaths
According to Vatican media, 425 municipalities have been affected and there are at least 100 confirmed deaths and 163,786 displaced people.
Spengler reported that in Porto Alegre “the water level has practically never dropped and in the low areas of the city the floods continue to increase” and applauded the generosity of the people.
The prelate also explained that “in the southern part of the state, almost on the border with Uruguay, they are facing the consequences of the waters that are reaching the region” although “they have had time to prepare better, so in a certain sense You could say that they are in a slightly better situation, but it rained a lot in those areas, and that will undoubtedly contribute to the situation being affected.”
The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, reported that 401 municipalities have been affected by the floods that have covered almost the entire state.
A total of 1.5 million people are suffering from a lack of food, medicine and basic services such as light and energy, of which 160,000 are taking refuge in the homes of relatives or friends. 48,799 people are in shelters created by the authorities.
With information from EFE.
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