(ANS – Atacama) – Although the rains have now decreased in northern Chile, the situation is still difficult as a result of landslides and rivers that flooded in recent days. One of the problems is a lack of clean water. The Salesian Cardinal Riccardo Ezzati, Archbishop of Santiago wrote in a recent letter: "The bleak landscape of recent days in the north of our country, cannot leave us indifferent." In the same letter the Cardinal calls on the international community to look to the example of Jesus who gave his life for the human race.

The Atacama Region, and in particular Copiapó where the Cristo Redentor Salesian Industrial School is located, remains the most affected area. Most of the access roads are impassable because of water and mud. Communications are unstable and intermittent.  It has not been possible so far for the Salesian community to make a census of the people affected by the floods.  What is known is that fifteen of the staff of the Salesian school suffered the total loss of their homes.

Similarly, it is not known how many members of the educative community of the Don Bosco School in Antofagasta have suffered damage. Preliminary data have not yet been made public, but we already know that a significant number of families have suffered damage to homes. The guardian of one of the boys in the 7th year died due to the collapse of a retaining wall. Currently the school is being used as a gathering place for the population.

Victor Alfaro, Delegate for Communications of the School, said that the greatest need at the moment is for clean water.  He asks those who are organizing relief efforts, to direct their efforts in this direction. The shortage of water is creating problems both from the hygiene point of view, and for the preparation of meals.

The students of the Pastoral Group of the Salesian school are doing their bit to help the population. About a hundred young people are helping the relief operations, collecting and distributing aid to members of the affected communities. The teachers are also working to help other staff members who have suffered loss.

The call then for "all the communities of Santiago" is "to join this effort”. The cardinal says, “Jesus gave his life so that all might have life in abundance. He urges us today to look at the pain of our brothers and sisters, opening our hearts and our hands. They are our brothers and sisters, and Christ is living in them."

For more information and to learn how to donate, visit the website of the Salesians in Chile.

Published 31/03/2015