Italians give generously to aid Horn of Africa

The worst drought to strike the Horn of Africa in over 60 years has affected over 12 million people, many of them children. The crisis prompted an appeal from Pope Benedict XVI: “I hope international mobilization grows to send timely relief to our brothers and sisters already sorely tried, among which there are so many children. May our solidarity and the concrete support to all people of good will not fail these suffering people.” In response to that appeal, the bishops of Italy this weekend took up a special national collection for those suffering from the drought.

Bishop Giorgio Bertin, the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu expressed his gratitude for the Church’s assistance: “It is a gesture of communion between the Church in Italy, and the people and the countries in the horn of Africa.”

He said he hoped that the collection would also be a sign of reflection. “I would like that this gesture, this collection, be a sign of a world which tries to help the poor nations, the poor people, stand more on their feet. And that is possible.”

Listen Bishop Bertin’s full remarks in the interview with Alessandro Gisotti: