Pope Francis Sends Aid to Flood Victims in Brazil
The Archbishop of Porto Alegre and President of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB), Archbishop Jaime Spengler, has announced that Pope Francis has donated approximately 100 thousand euros to the Brazilian Nunciature to aid the victims of the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
This generous gesture from the Pontiff, facilitated through the Apostolic Almoner, aims to provide concrete assistance to the numerous displaced individuals who have lost their homes due to the natural disaster.
Archbishop Spengler, leading the efforts to distribute the funds, states that the sum will be directed to the South 3 Region of the CNBB, covering the entire Rio Grande do Sul, to support the affected communities in every way possible.
Pope Francis’s Compassion
Following the devastating impact of the heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the affected people during the Regina Caeli on May 5. He offered his prayers for the deceased, their families, and those forced to leave their homes.
The substantial assistance from the Pope will be administered by the CNBB’s South 3 Regional Office, providing much-needed relief to the population in need.
The Extent of the Disaster
The floods have affected 425 municipalities in the state, resulting in 100 confirmed deaths, 130 missing individuals, 374 injuries, 163,786 displaced people, and 7,428 individuals seeking refuge in shelters. The situation remains critical with continuous updates on the devastation caused by the unprecedented floods.
Despite the challenges, Archbishop Spengler acknowledges the resilience of the affected communities and the extraordinary efforts of volunteers in providing support to the displaced individuals.
While the road to recovery may be long, the solidarity shown by the people of Rio Grande do Sul and the support from Pope Francis will undoubtedly bring hope and relief to those in need.
