The visit of the President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum from January 26 to 31 . The Cardinal will travel to Tacloblan one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon where an orphanage and a home for the elderly will be built. The cardinal will also meet with the Filipino bishops and President Benin Aquino

Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - The Press Office of the Holy See has announced that Card. Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum will go to the Philippines to visit areas affected by the typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. The disaster struck the central provinces of Leyte and Cebu , wiping out entire villages and killing at least 5 thousand people. The cardinal's visit will be from January 26 to 31.

Below we publish here an AsiaNews translation of the official Cor Unum statement.

Card. Robert Sarah will visit areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan - Yolanda on November 8 last year on behalf of Pope Francis.  He will bring a sign of the Holy Father's comfort and spiritual closeness to the population, which now must undertake the reconstruction of the area ravaged by natural disaster, as well as promote the network of aid of those who are already working on he ground.

The mission will take place January 26 to 31 , and includes three stages of particular importance : an encounter with the Filipino bishops, currently in plenary session, a meeting with the President of the Republic of the Philippines , Benigno Aquino III , and a visit to the town of Tacloban , which is the most affected by the typhoon.

In the context of the visit Card. Sarah will present, on behalf of the Holy Father, the commitment to realize through "Cor Unum", a project for the new construction of an orphanage and a home for the elderly. The building will include among other things a small convent for nuns , a chapel, and a healthcare clinic.

According to recent Caritas Philippines / Nassa reports the Haiyan - Yolanda - typhoon that hit the Visayas islands (central Philippines ), caused more than 5,500 dead, more than 26 thousand wounded and nearly 2 thousand missing. There are about 3.8 million displaced, belonging to more than 851 thousand families. In total, almost 12 million people who suffered damage or losses for various reasons, scattered among 574 municipalities and cities, and now there are fears of epidemics breaking out.

On hearing the news, the Holy Father decided to allocate through "Cor Unum" , a first contribution of 150,000 dollars for emergency relief to the people, in support of the work carried out in assistance for displaced persons and the flood victims, which were added to the funds allocated by the Church as a whole, the local Churches and parishes around the world , through the Caritas network and other national and diocesan charities.

 

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