By Kielce Gussie
Southeast Asia continues to reel from devastating floods and landslides over the last few weeks. The death toll from cyclone-induced flooding across four countries—Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia—has reached about 1,300 people.
In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah struck the country on Nov 27 and caused landslides and flooding in the following days. The government declared a state of emergency as the heavy and relentless rains led to dam breaches and destruction. More than 300 people have died and more than 200 are missing—making this one of the worst natural disasters in recent years.
The Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre reported some 20,000 houses have been damaged and over 100,000 people, including those internally displaced, have sought shelter in emergency lodgings organized by the civil defense. One third of the country is reportedly without running water and electricity.
Universal care, no matter the denomination
Fr Basil Rohan Fernando is a priest from Colombo who also serves as the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Sri Lanka. He described to the Vatican’s Fides agency how the country is “under water…We are seeing much suffering and people who have lost everything.”
The eastern region was hardest hit and the Mavil Aru dam was damaged. Colombo and other important economic areas are also enduring considerable loss. Over 24,000 police officers and soldiers are helping in the rescue efforts, yet aid has not been able to reach every area impacted.
In response, Fr Fernando stressed the importance of being united as a country. “All the country’s healthy forces and people of goodwill are working together to alleviate the suffering of the victims,” he explained. This includes religious communities, churches, parishes, and Catholic institutions which have found housing for those who have been displaced.
The Colombo priest shared that Caritas has launched its network at various levels. “Volunteers are working tirelessly in the dioceses and parishes, and the Catholic communities have made all their resources and skills available to help the displaced—of course without distinction of ethnicity or faith”, Fr Fernando explained.
On top of that, different Christian communities of all denominations are also giving humanitarian aid to those in need and continue to be involved in providing emergency relief—shelter, food, water, and hygiene supplies—for the victims.
Support for those affected by the disasters is both psychological and spiritual, Fr Fernando stressed. “A gesture of love, affection, and closeness means a great deal in such situations; listening and human warmth are a testament to God’s love for every person.” – Vatican News
