Pope sends aid to victims of South Sudan floods, Greek fires

By Devin Watkins

The Pope has continued his spiritual and humanitarian outreach to people whose lives have been touched by tragedy.

The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development announced on Monday that Pope Francis has recently expressed his care and concern for people in Greece and South Sudan.

In a press release, the Dicastery said the Pope sent US$ 75,000 to South Sudan.

The aid comes on the heels of heavy rains and devastating flooding in August, which displaced over 12,000 people and destroyed around 6,000 homes.

Flood-struck areas

The UN estimated that nearly 400,000 people were affected by the flooding across six states.

Unusually heavy seasonal rains caused rivers to overflow their banks, inundating vast areas and settlements along the Nile river valley and other wetland areas.

Pope Francis’ financial assistance is being sent to the Diocese of Malakal through the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development.

The funds will assist in emergency management and go to supporting programs for those affected in the diocese.

Fire-ravaged land

The Pope sent another tranche of financial support to people in Greece, where fires tore through several areas in August.

A severe heatwave set off a wave of fires in several parts of Greece. The northeastern island of Evia, the Peloponnese Region, and the Attica peninsula were particularly hard hit.

Over 100,000 hectares were destroyed, and at least 3 people were killed.

Pope Francis sent his support to those affected in the form of financial support for Caritas Hellas.

The Greek arm of the Church’s humanitarian outfit will benefit from 50,000 Euro sent by the Pope.

Spiritual nearness

According to the press release, the donations are meant to express “Pope Francis’ feelings of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement to the people and territories affected.”

“They accompany prayer and are part of the aid that is being activated throughout the Catholic Church, which also involves numerous charitable organisations.”