Fr Mark Hyde, from the New Rochelle Mission Office,  has arrived in Santo Domingo, where he has already been able to speak with Fr Victor Pichardo, the Provincial of the Antilles. Tomorrow, Friday 22 January, both will fly with Fr Alberto Rodriguez, Provincial Economer  and Franklin, in charge of the Development Office to meet the Councils of the Salesians and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

The relief team from the Dominican Republic engaged in providing assistance and logistical organisation will arrive at Thorland passing through Barahona, and will be bringing 1500 food kits, each one providing for the basic survival of a family for at least 3 days. Some of these will also go to the Salesians.

Fr Attilio  Stra, has sent a message to Fr Václav Klement, Councillor for the Salesian Missions, thanking him for all that is being done for Haiti in this tragic situation.

Fr Zucchi has provided information about the youngsters and young people who were attending the  Salesian centres before the earthquake. There were 20,000 children going to the schools, 360 were attending the technical vocational training courses at the ENAM and 1040 students following ordinary courses.

VIS has offered to help with the coordination of emergency aid and with the installation of the Coordination Centre, as well as being ready to send some of its volunteers, skilled in first aid and emergency situations. The Spanish Salesian Foundation “Jóvenes e desarrollo” has also said it is ready to help.
 
The German “BEGECA” Company which produces articles for NG0 and charitable activities has made available a water-purification plant to be set up in Port-au-Prince, capable of purifying between 2,000 and 3,000 litres an hour. They have at the same time offered to send two technicians who free of change will see to the installation of the plant and to the training of  the personnel needed to attend to it.

Fr Hyde has also spoken to the President of “Cross International” and has confirmed the offer of 200 containers of food and first aid equipment for the various  organisations working in Haiti, including the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Salesians from Santo Domingo have offered an open space within the international airport and as soon as possible the Salesians from Barahona will see to the safe storing of material there.
 
Published 21/01/2010