ARGENTINA: Salesians impacted by storm, flooding
Missionaries providing relief, repairing own buildings
ARGENTINA
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries are working to provide relief and repair their own buildings after an intense storm caused flooding and high wind in the coastal city of Bahía Blanca, Argentina. The storm left 13 people dead and caused destruction to homes and buildings. The wind reached 87 miles an hour and at least 300 people had to be evacuated.
Father Darío Perera, superior of the Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá Province of Southern Argentina, sent a letter to Salesians expressing his solidarity with them. “On this occasion I send you this message with concern about the terrible storm that this weekend hit Bahía Blanca and its surroundings and several cities in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires.”
He added, “The Colegio Don Bosco is deeply saddened by the death of a child, a student of the school, and his father. For this reason, we pray intensely for this educative and pastoral community, so that the Father’s consolation may reach this family in these moments of inexplicable pain.”
The letter also noted that the Salesian house in La Piedad had been damaged. The roof of the old Salesian community, the roof of the new classrooms of Unisal and part of the roof of the chapel of Santa Lucia were blown off. Salesians are currently studying how to proceed with the repairs.
The Salesian Centennial Oratory in Avellaneda suffered the most damage with several uprooted trees and a huge wall that collapsed. Part of the roof of the school was also swept away and several classrooms were damaged. In addition, the Salesian Uribelarrea School suffered damage to part of the historic entrance of the school building and other minor damage in normal work areas.
Fr. Perera sent another letter asking the Salesian rectors for financial support for the structures that had suffered damage. He wrote, “I am grateful that two Salesian houses have decided to share resources to help in this situation. I am grateful for this generous gesture that makes us feel like a family, in which we not only think about our needs but also take others into account.” He invited others to help support the 2024 fund.
More than a quarter of the people in Argentina live in conditions of poverty with no formal employment and poor-quality education, according to the World Bank. The country’s high school dropout rate is close to 37% and youth account for a third of those unemployed. Almost 12% of children ages 5-17 are working instead of being in school and 20% need government assistance. Many face malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sewage, and inadequate housing.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Argentina
World Bank – Argentina
