Pope sends aid to migrants
stranded at the US border
 |
| Migrants in Tijuana encamped by the wall marking the border with the United States (ANSA) |
Thousands of Central American migrants in Mexico are in need
of assistance.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis has donated 500,000 dollars to assist migrants
in Mexico. The funds, from the Peter’s Pence collections, will be
distributed among 27 projects promoted by sixteen Mexican dioceses and
religious congregations, which requested assistance in continuing to provide
food, lodging, and basic necessities to the migrants.
US border closed
According to a statement from Peter’s Pence,
“In recent months, thousands of migrants have arrived in Mexico, having
travelled more than 4,000 kilometres on foot and with makeshift vehicles
from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Men and women, often with young children, flee poverty and violence, hoping for
a better future in the United States. However, the US border remains closed to
them.”
Diminished aid and media coverage
In particular, the aid is intended to assist the more than
75,000 people who arrived in Mexico in 2018, in six migrant caravans. “All
these people were stranded, unable to enter the United States, without a home
or livelihood”, the statement reads. “The Catholic Church hosts thousands of
them in hotels within the dioceses or religious congregations, providing basic
necessities, from housing to clothing”.
Although a great deal of attention was focused on the
caravans at the time, the Peter’s Pence statement notes that “media coverage of
this emergency has been decreasing, and as a result, aid to migrants by the
government and private individuals has also decreased”.
Transparent use of donations
The statement from Peter’s Pence insists that “a regulated
and transparent use of the resources, which must be accounted for, is required
before the aid is assigned”. It notes that thirteen projects have already been
approved, with another fourteen currently being evaluated.
“Thanks to these projects”, the statement concludes, “and
thanks to Christian charity and solidarity, the Mexican Bishops
hope to be able to continue helping our migrant brothers and sisters”.
To contribute to the projects with your donations, please
click on the following link:
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét