Santiago, Chile, Jul 9, 2010 / 20:30 pm
Some 30 pastoral workers from the dioceses affected by the 2010 earthquake in Chile and aid workers from the Catholic charity Caritas met in Santiago this week to discuss the continuing efforts to rebuild the country.
During the two-day meeting in Santiago, the various diocesan teams that have been responding since February to the tragedy met with officials from Caritas.
“In our culture, the evaluation has a negative connotation. But we should see it as an opportunity to learn and our attitude should be one that contributes to development,” said Lorenzo Figueroa, director of Caritas Social Ministries.
During the first day, the teams met with Pablo Allard of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, who is charge of rebuilding, and discussed how to distribute subsidies to those who do not have a deed for their homes or property.
Hector Hanashiro of Caritas Peru, who has been assisting the teams in Chile, also commented on the plight of the poor, saying, “Natural disasters contribute to a vicious cycle of poverty, because the poor are highly vulnerable to risks and do not have the means to prevent them. Generally their homes are built in the most unsafe places.”
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