Santiago, Chile, Mar 19, 2010 / 20:13 pm
The director of Caritas in Santiago, Father Rodrigo Tupper, said this week, “Our people are rising up from their sorrow, our people are brave, tenacious and decent,” and for this reason, he said, “Chile’s soul is intact.”
Fr. Tupper made his statements after a visit from the Executive Secretary of Caritas Chile, Lorenzo Figueroa, and the Executive Secretary of the Office of Social Ministry of the Chilean bishops, Maria Ines Lopez.
After touring the areas impacted by the earthquake, Figeroa said Caritas would prioritize “maintaining the humanitarian aid of food and shelter; providing decent emergency shelter; contributing to the economic recovery of families and the recovery of their jobs; and facilitating the spiritual and psychological assistance for families and the community.”
For his part, Bishop Tomislav Koljatic of Linares also called attention to areas affected by the earthquake that have gone unnoticed, such as coastal areas and valleys among the mountain regions.