Spain – "Essentials should not be a luxury": food and soap to fight coronavirus in Africa and the Americas

24 April 2020

(ANS - Madrid) - The medical emergency generated by Covid-19 has put the world on high alert. Madrid's "Misiones Salesianas" and the Spanish Salesian NGO "Jóvenes y Desarrollo" (JyD) have so far sent more than 200,000 euros to 12 countries in America and Africa to fight the pandemic: Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Angola, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone and South Sudan.

Everyone, albeit in different ways, is affected by the coronavirus and everyone is concerned with serving the most vulnerable population. Everywhere there are multitudes of people who have lost their fear of coronavirus and have started to go to help poor families, the elderly and people in need. Nobody has remained calm and at home. Everyone has started working and contributing part of their time. This is why the words of Pope Francis become so current: "The world must face the pandemic united, it is not the time for selfishness."

In many countries of the world, it is not only essential foods that are lacking, but also resources for hygiene care. The harsh reality of the coronavirus in Latin America and Africa is summed up in one sentence: "We are hungry!" There are millions of people who cannot meet their primary needs. Mandatory confinement makes families unable to earn an income and to buy food, just as prices are rising. In these countries, and in 122 others, the Salesians have continued to work, bringing a "grain" of solidarity.

Access to water and hygiene products is very difficult: "A bar of soap, clean water and a plate of food every day are a luxury for many families around the world," explains Fr José Antonio San Martín, head of "Misiones Salesianas". For this reason, its organization, with "JyD" and many other Salesian entities, are working to bring food to those who need it most and to distribute hygiene products, because the lack of food and soap facilitates contagion.

To date, more than 200,000 euros have been sent to 12 countries in America and Africa to combat coronavirus.

Children, migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, families with scarce resources are always a priority for the Salesians, but at the moment they are even more so. For this reason, "Misiones Salesianas" with the support of "JyD" launched the campaign: "The essential should not be a luxury."

Providing basic food products and hygiene products to thousands of people who cannot access them is the goal that the two Salesian organizations have set themselves, so that hunger does not feed the coronavirus and hygiene can prevent its spread.

Source: Misiones Salesianas

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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