In late 2020, Jesuits in Central Vietnam responded to a flood crisis that uprooted the lives of thousands of people.
After many days of irregular, torrential rain, six successive typhoons combined with the discharge of water from nine hydroelectric dams, thousands of vulnerable families were left stranded in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, with no access to food, water or shelter.
Jesuit priests, nuns, Buddhist monks and local governors collaborated in creating a relief program for flood victims that provided 20 tons of rice and emergency assistance to 2,000 vulnerable families.
Pastoral halls of 40 parishes were used to distribute 2,000 packs of food supplies and drinking water. Financial support was also distributed to repair 500 damaged houses.
With the floods decimating over 300,000 hectares of rice and fruit plantations, and killing 50,000 domestic animals the Jesuits provided seedlings and livestock to restore the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
Posted 24 November 2020
