2015-08-15 16:36:00

Catholic Church in Myanmar reaching out to flood victims


With more than 1.3 million people critically affected and at least 106 people have died since heavy monsoon rains coupled with a cyclone last month caused floods across Myanmar, the Catholic Church is stepping in to help where government efforts are faltering.  “The situation is distressing…particularly in the most affected lower belt of Haka and Kalay dioceses in the Chin territory,” said Fr. Leo Mang, head of social communications of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar.  Speaking to Catholic News Agency (CNA) on Thursday, Fr. Mang said that the Catholic Church is working through local emergency units as well as “Caritas,” the bishops’ social arm, to reach out to victims and offer aid.  In the Diocese of Hakha, landslides resulting from heavy rain have washed away many houses and other buildings. Some chapels remain submerged.  Residents in higher regions are seeing some relief, as water levels begin to subside. Fr. Bosco Saw, head of the Biblical Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar said that people are in a fearful situation in the low-lying Irrawaddy division, and they we need international help. People have been evacuated to safer zones, and many are accommodated in parish camps.

Myanmar has declared a national state of emergency and has appealed for international assistance to help with flood relief.  The slow government response, coupled with the country’s poverty, has particularly affected efforts to the poor and those in less-developed tribal areas.








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