The Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” has issued a communiqué following Hurricane Matthew, which during recent days has struck the Caribbean, and in particular the territory of Haiti, with extraordinary vehemence in recent days, and according to current data, has claimed 1,000 victims. Pope Francis, through the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, has established that a first contribution of 100,000 dollars will be donated in aid of the population in this emergency phase.

This sum, which will be disbursed in collaboration with the apostolic nunciature through the local Church in those dioceses most affected by the calamity, will be used to support aid works in favour of flood victims, and is intended as a first and immediate concrete expression of the sentiments of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement of the Supreme Pontiff with regard to the afflicted persons and territories.

The contribution will be inserted within the aid network that was immediately activated throughout the Catholic Church and which has involved various episcopal conferences and a number of charitable organisations. Caritas Haiti, in connection with Caritas Internationalis, immediately launched an emergency appeal to help 2,700 families (13,500 people) for the purchase and distribution of 2,700 food kits, the supply of 2,700 hygiene kits and the activation of programmes to advise and raise awareness among the population on the prevention of infectious illnesses.