The Pontifical Council “Cor Unum,” in contact with the Haitian episcopal conference, responded to a call for help by Caritas-Haiti, and immediately sent $100,000 for urgent needs, including clean drinking water, food and medicines.
The council reported in a statement that «in Gonaives the floods inundated a clinic for AIDS patients, ending the lives of the missionary and his patients.»
The statement recalls that four months ago other floods left 1,500 dead. In response to the tragedy, John Paul II sent Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council «Cor Unum,» to Haiti from June 22-25, «to take a message of hope.»
On that occasion, Archbishop Cordes made a substantial financial contribution toward reconstruction on behalf of the Pope.
The Catholic Church’s assistance to Haiti, coming from all over the world, is being channeled to a large extent through Caritas Internationalis, working with Caritas-Haiti.
The international federation of Catholic institutions has launched an appeal for help to Haiti. The target is $900,000 to assist all those affected.
