The International relief operation is under way and, although there are some problems, help is being distributed to the people. Where it is possible reception and assistance centres have been established at the Salesian houses, and the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are doing all they can to welcome and help the people.

The New Rochelle Mission Office, acting in close contact with the Salesians in Santo Domingo, continues its work of planning and coordinating help for the Salesians in Haiti. The Rector Major, Fr Pascual Chávez, being constantly updated on the situation and developments, continues to offer his encouragement to the Salesians in Haiti who have been so severely tried.

The process of recovering the bodies of the pupils and teachers at Enam slowly continues. The latest information we have is that under the ruibble of the Salesian school, 250 pupils and some of their teachers were killed. Of these so far only 60 bodies have been recovered. Very many other Salesian pupils died in the ruins of their own homes.

Alarm is also being raised by some of those involved: cases have been discovered of unscrupulous people fraudulently collecting funds. For this reason it is very strongly recommended that contributions be only made to or through accredited and authorised organisations or NGO. In Italy, for example, the International Volunteer Movement for Development (VIS), is working with the Italian Emergency Relief Agency (AGIRE).

ITALCEMENTI, which produces building materials, through Dr. Silvestro Capitanio, a Salesian Past Pupil, in a meeting with the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Adriano Bregolin, has said that they will collaborate in the process of dealing with the rubble and other works and arrange for the necessary machinery to arrive as soon as possible.

Fr Attilio Stra the Salesian missionary, has sent news that while in hospital in Santo Domingo, on Saturday evening he was visited by the President of the Republic Leonel Fernández Reyna.

In the video information section of ANS a documentary is available, made some years ago by Missioni Don Bosco of Turin, which gives an account of the work of the Salesians in Haiti before the earthquake.

Published 18/01/2010