To date, in Syria, 144 cases of contagion and 6 victims due to Covid-19 have been reported, but it is believed that the real data may be much greater. In Syria, an epidemic would be disastrous: after 9 years of war, the country finds itself with its healthcare facilities destroyed and a population that is exhausted and largely displaced.
In Ethiopia, the risk of an escalation of the infections is real: with the swab checks (6,000-6,500 per day), 150-200 cases of contagion are discovered daily: in 2-3 weeks, it has gone from 120 infected and 4 deaths to 2,156 infected and 27 deaths. In Ethiopia, the Salesians of Don Bosco Children have already activated a protective quarantine in favor of about 100 street children since mid-March. But now they have decided to do even more: “We are helping thousands of street children who have been collected from the street by the Federal Police and placed in the Assistance Centers,” says Fr Angelo Ragazzo. “With the offers that come to us, through our driver, we buy and bring food, sanitary material to those centers where children with other poor people are gathered. Our motto is: empty the warehouses as soon as possible so that Providence will fill them up again.”
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is also at risk of an explosion of contagion: the official data of Covid-19 speak of 4,106 cases and 88 victims. Here, in this country, the Foundation has long supported the Don Bosco Muetu Center of Mbuji Mayi, where, in addition to dealing with the Coronavirus emergency and the return of several cases of Ebola, the Salesians also usually welcome and host numerous single mothers. During this period, the Center has activated a weekly distribution service for powdered milk and a first medical treatment for mothers and children, guaranteeing the possibility of keeping the little ones with their families.
Venezuela, already suffering a disastrous crisis, also finds itself facing the Covid-19 emergency. Official data speak of 2,473 infected and 22 victims, but it is believed that the data is not real and the cases are many more. In this situation of need, the Salesian Institute of Caracas has activated a biweekly distribution service of "combos": food packages for the families of the students.
Ecuador is among the most affected countries in Latin America: official data records 43,378 infections and 3,642 deaths, with the most explosive situation in Guayaquil. Here the first reception center run by the Salesians offers street children welcome, support, education and schooling and, in a period like this, shelter and safety.
For more information: www.operadonbosco.it
https://www.infoans.org/en/sections/special-reports/item/10570-rmg-the-voice-of-many-salesians-in-the-time-of-covid-19#sigProIdcbaa203d6c
