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Update on Flooding where Oblates Live and Minister in the State of Rio Grande do Sul
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May 23, 2024Holy Infant Family,
Fr. Robert was recently made aware of the direct impact the recent flood in Brazil is having on our fellow Oblates. A portion of second collection will go directly towards aiding the affected community. We ask that you also keep the Brazilian people and the Oblates in your prayers as they work to rebuild and heal in the midst of this terrible tragedy.
Below you'll find a report from Fr. Valdir Formentini on the status of disaster._________________________________________________________________________________Report from Fr. Valdir Formentini Provincial, South American and Caribbean Province
Dear Fr. Barry,
We really are living in a very difficult time... a lot! Haiti is destroyed by violence and poverty. In Ecuador, the economy is doing badly, and the people are suffering. In the south of Brazil, storms, floods, destruction and death! My God, have pity on us!
This situation leads us to make new reflections every day and to look for new alternatives for our pastoral work in a very short time. The economy is shaken and every day we need more resources to work, evangelize and live.
But within us there is a force that no one can hold back: faith with its yearnings for resistance, resilience and all the Salesian virtues. This makes us say: Here we are, alive and fighting!
Here's a summary of the disaster so far:
Affected cities: 435
People in shelters: 69,617
Displaced people: 337,116
Affected people: 1,916,070
Injured: 756 Missing: 146
Confirmed deaths: 113
Rescued people: 70,863
Rescued animals: 9,984
State Staff: 27,218
Vehicles: 3,466
Aircraft: 41
Vessels: 340
The hardest hit regions were the Serra and central regions, including the capital Porto Alegre and the southern region. Here in Porto Alegre, the parish where Fr Rudimar works is completely under water. Once again, I ask for prayers for our people in Rio Grande do Sul!
-Fr Valdir Formentinni