Mexico City, Mexico, Nov 9, 2007 / 10:21 am
Father Mario Jimenez of Caritas Tabasco and the Bishops’ Committee on Social Ministry said this week the churches that are not under water in the region have been converted into shelters for the thousands of people affected by the floods that have devastated the Mexican state of Tabasco.
Speaking to reporters, Father Jimenez said that in Villahermosa—where the floods have been the worst—ten churches are functioning as shelters and another seven have been flooded. “We are keeping track of the number of people taking shelter and assistance is being provided to cover their basic necessities,” he said.
Nevertheless, he explained that logistical problems are preventing much of the aid from being distributed. “The action plan followed by Caritas consists of a four-point emergency program: respond to the emergency, contribute to rehabilitation, reconstruction and the prevention of future natural disasters,” he said.
Father Jimenez also noted that Bishop Benjamin Castillo of Tabasco is in constant communication with federal and state officials in order to ensure that humanitarian aid is quickly delivered to the shelters.
The Diocese of Tabasco has 1,500 churches, 50 percent of which have been damaged by the floods.