Caritas Poland Provides Relief to Flood-Hit Areas

Heavy rains have devastated parts of Poland, prompting Caritas in various ⁣dioceses to join relief efforts and‍ provide aid to those affected. A nationwide collection ​will be held on Sunday, September 22, to support the victims of the floods.

Caritas Poland has already provided an initial batch‍ of emergency⁣ aid, ⁣valued at approximately 50,000​ euros, to Caritas centers in flooded areas. The organization has also​ launched a fundraising ‍campaign on its website, emphasizing the ​urgent need for material assistance, particularly from companies, to provide large quantities of essential items.

Among the⁢ most urgently needed items are dehumidifiers, drinking water, generators, wheelbarrows, waterproof boots, hygiene products, and food‍ with a long ‍shelf life. ‍Caritas dioceses in Opole, Świdnica, Bielsko-Žiwiec,‍ and Legnica are‍ working closely with local authorities to‍ coordinate⁤ a national aid operation.

In response‍ to the appeal of Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, President of the ‌Polish Bishops’ Conference, a collection drive will be held in churches across Poland on Sunday, September 22. Archbishop Wojda⁤ expressed solidarity with those affected by the⁤ floods, assuring them that they are ⁢not alone and that the Church is ⁢committed‌ to providing spiritual and material support.

The floods have caused widespread ‌destruction, with many houses, schools, kindergartens, ‌and hospitals affected.​ The road infrastructure has‌ also​ been severely⁤ damaged. ⁤While the full extent of the damage to churches, ⁤convents, and Catholic cemeteries is not yet clear, it is known that the Franciscan convent in Kłodzko and the local Our Lady of the‍ Rosary Church⁢ were among the hardest hit.

The ⁢Caritas of the Świdnica diocese has launched a 24-hour canteen⁣ to⁤ support the homeless, while the Caritas of the Opole diocese is providing meals to flood⁣ victims ⁤in Racibórz and​ Nis. Caritas‌ volunteers and employees‍ are distributing drinking water, bread, food, cleaning, and hygiene items in Głochovac and surrounding areas of ‍Nis and Prudnik.

Caritas Poland ⁢is coordinating the assistance on behalf‌ of ⁢the Polish Church and has already begun providing aid. The organization is calling ‌on ⁤the public to donate ⁣generously ⁢to support those affected by the floods.