(ANS - Cúcuta) - In response to the appeals of Pope Francis and Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the FMA communities of Our Lady of the Snow Province are carrying out specific initiatives on behalf of immigrants and refugees.

In Colombia we have a situation somewhat similar to that which is occurring in Europe, even if on a smaller scale. Since the end of last August, the closure of the border with Venezuela ordered by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the deportation of many Colombians living in Venezuela - in some cases for many years - have caused a serious humanitarian emergency in the border town of Cúcuta and other regions of Colombia.

About 2,000 people were deported from Venezuela and more than 7,000 have left the country voluntarily for fear of suffering the same fate. The border closure has also led to the splitting up of many families with members of Colombian and Venezuelan nationalities. The shelters organized by the government, the Church and other organizations have been insufficient for the high number of displaced people.

As an expression of solidarity in the face of this grave situation, in all the educational communities of the FMA Province they have conducted campaigns to collect resources for the benefit of displaced persons.

The contribution is the result of austerity measures and Community sacrifices, such as saving in the use of the phone, the weekly sacrifice of some food, doing without some traditional Christmas accessories ... The campaign has also been proposed to students, teachers, parents and, in some cases, people who participate in Sunday Mass in the houses of the Sisters.

The total collection amounted to 8,000,000 pesos that have been collected by the Provincial Economer and sent to the FMA at "Medellin-Mary Help of Christians". The community there has a house in Cúcuta and some others near the border. In addition to money some communities have also sent toiletries and clothes.

Published 10/11/2015