BUENOS AIRES, Argentina.
Considering the damage produced in the city and Province of Buenos Aires on April 1-2 on account of the heavy rain, the TA shares in the solidarity campaigns that have been organized.
Evacuation of families with their childrenPersons from different countries have communicated with TA members in Argentina in a spirit of solidary. Marta Olmedo, who is the channel of communication for this experience, writes: “We wish to bring you up to date and thank you for the closeness felt with so many members of the TA that have made themselves present from so many different places. We share now the latest of this painful event for us, and at the same time inform you that, thank God, no TA member or any relative of ours has suffered any serious damage or loss.”
The TA members of Buenos Aires are collaborating in the places where they work and in the ecclesial organizations where they regularly volunteer. Besides that, the educational community of the Pedro Poveda Institute, in Vicente López, has organized a campaign to contribute with donations in coordination with Cáritas of the Diocese of San Isidro where the Institute is located.
A brief of what has happened
 Rescue during the flooding |
 People leave their houses flooded by water |
 Solidarity campaign in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires |
Mata Olmedo makes a summary of the suffering endured as a consequence of “a very strong tempest, with torrential rains, unheard of in our city, (almost 400 ml in 3 hours) have caused one of the greatest floods of our history and have left entire zones under water, with the loss of many lives and terrible material damage. Entire neighborhoods of the City of Buenos Aires and of the Great Buenos Aires, and mainly of the City of La Plata (capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, located about 50 km from the city of Buenos Aitres) have been affected.
The city of La Plata was devastated in a few hours, without electricity, water or services. More than 50 persons died, three thousand were evacuated and hundreds of persons lost absolutely everything… house, clothing, food, car, documents… EVERYTHING … ¡The images of desolation, sadness and powerlessness have been very painful during the whole week!
Along with the pain and suffering of so many families, the reaction and response of the population and the government has been immediate. First as an spontaneous reaction, somewhat disorganized, but with the passing of the first hours and days the “organization of solidarity and aid” from different points of the country, and also from abroad, has opened the paths of hope for those who have lost everything and have been the victims of the catastrophe.
The governors of the City, of the Province and of the Nation have announced important measures to smooth the situation of the victims and accompany them in their recovery once the emergency is over.
 The Red Cross helps in the most affected areas |
 Donations of bottled water, food, and diapers ready to be transported |
The Red Cross, Cáritas, the Solidary Network, the Scouts, diverse NGOs, parishes, Schools, Centers of different religious denominations, Labor Unions and spontaneous groups united to organize massive campaigns of solidarity. The families in need of everything are receiving mattresses, bedding linen, blankets, clothing, all kinds of food and medicines The solidary reaction is efficient and very moving, as well as the loving care of the people and the capacity to unite efforts to collaborate with the recovery of those who have suffered the most from this drama of our people and nation! It is a strong experience to see that charity has no limits and breaks barriers turning people into real neighbors.
During this Pascal Time, a time to celebrate Life, we unite to all that are suffering this painful experience, we accompany them through the power of prayer and we also know that we can count on the prayer of the whole TA."
Info.IT - Information by Marta María Olmedo, I.T.Argentina
Translated by Maria Teresa Cuervo