Mar 5, 2008 / 02:23 am
Archbishop Francois-Xavier Maroy Rusengo has told the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the Democratic Republic of Congo is still suffering in the aftermath of last month’s severe earthquakes. Archbishop Maroy, of the Archdiocese of Bukavu, has appealed to “all people of goodwill” to aid earthquake victims.
A series of earthquakes struck the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the western region of Rwanda between February 3 and 5. Measuring between 5 and 6 on the Richter scale, they have killed dozens and injured hundreds. The aftershocks are still occurring.
Archbishop Maroy said the situation was “still critical.” He told Aid to the Church in Need that many people are still sleeping out in the open because of the continuing aftershocks. Some are “paralyzed” by a “psychosis” and a “climate of permanent insecurity,” being incapable of productivity.
Archbishop Maroy said many houses have collapsed. Schools, churches, hospitals, health centers, religious houses, and educational establishments have also been severely damaged. The estimated damage to Church properties and buildings runs into 7 million Euros, about $10.5 million USD.