In a communiqué the International Voluntary Movement for Development (VIS) have announced its economical and technical support for a plant make drinking water from sea water, which can produce 7,000 litres a day. The support being offered includes a permanent satellite connection with internet, through the Signis provider.
The Crisis Team at the New Rochelle Salesian Missions Office has received confirmation from the “Cross International” organisation that the first three containers of food and first aid materials are ready for despatch. The go-ahead from the port authorities for the delivery has still to arrive.
According to a UNO report, a United Nations General Coordination Centre has been set up at Barahona, while Jimani, a small centre of population on the frontier between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, 65% destroyed, is clearly becoming the central key distribution link for relief supplies. It should be emphasised that the distribution of food to families who have lost everything remains the priority.
The initiatives in Salesian centres continue to multiply to make aware of and to get involved in the emergency situation created by the earthquake in Haiti, pupils, youngsters, young people and their families.
Fr Mark Hyde will be staying on in Santo Domingo, so as to be able to meet representatives of the United Nations and in this way coordinate local activities and to obtain transport facilities to be used in the first aid efforts of the Salesians. Among all his engagements he has also been able to visit Fr Attlio Stra, still in hospital in Santo Domingo.
Published 23/01/2010
