Following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum has undertaken to send a first contribution of $100,000 for aid to the population on behalf of the Holy Father.
This sum, which will be sent to the local Church, will be used to support aid operations for the displaced and other affected persons, and is intended as a first and immediate concrete expression of Pope Francis’ “spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement” towards those afflicted, as he assured during the Regina Coeli of Sunday 26 April.
Episcopal conferences and Catholic charitable entities are already extensively involved in humanitarian works.
Numerous villages are isolated and aid has not yet reached them. Foreign aid is being sent but congestion at Kathmandu’s airport is causing difficulties.
The UN has estimated that eight million people have been affected.
The death toll has now passed 5,000, but officials say it could reach 10,000.
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To support Nepal through the US branch of Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services, click here: