Catholic agencies send aid to Haiti

(January 15, 2010) Catholic aid agencies worldwide are joining the international emergency response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti that has left thousands dead. Although the number of casualties from the 7.0-magnitude quake is yet unknown, the International Red Cross has estimated some 50,000 have been killed. About 3 million people are said to be affected by the disaster, and the country - the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere - cannot respond to the needs on its own. The Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’, the Vatican office that oversees Catholic charities worldwide on Thursday asked Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian agency of the Bishops of the United States, to coordinate the relief efforts at this stage. Other Catholic agencies such as Caritas and Aid to the Church in Need are providing food, medicine and shelter to the survivors. Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, president of Caritas Internationalis, underlined the Church’s dedication to assisting the victims of the earthquake. He stated: “We urge the international community to support aid efforts.” “We are facing such an emergency now and we must respond quickly to save lives," he added. During Wednesday's general audience in the Vatican, Benedict XVI appealed for international aid in the form of prayers and financial support for Haiti. He assured that the Catholic Church will not fail to move immediately, through her charitable institutions, to meet the most immediate needs of the population."