The UN has highlighted how the pandemic has hit the disadvantaged and marginalized groups the hardest. Globally, vaccination campaign is progressing slowly in over 100 countries and people involved in conflicts are especially vulnerable in terms of lack of access to health care. The UN Security Council says that only with a ceasefire can local populations gain access to vaccination and life-saving treatments.
In light of this situation, Salesian missionaries all over the world are responding to the pressing needs caused by the pandemic, helping the poor, immigrant families. Those who have lost their jobs, and a large number of homeless children forced to beg for alms to earn money are also an immediate target of Salesian works. Fr Gus Baek, Head of the "Salesian Missions" Mission Office, explained: “The Salesians continue to feed malnourished families, take children off the streets, educate poor minors, and teach young people the skills they need, to hope for a brighter future.”
“Salesian Missions” highlights its programs around the world that are providing life-changing education and services in order to celebrate the International Day of Peace 2021,
In Brazil, the Don Bosco Educational Center in Natal received 1.5 tons of non-perishable food to be distributed to needy families assisted by it in the Lagoa Azul neighborhood and surrounding areas. The food was collected as part of the Brazilian army campaign "Help is in our hands". The goal of the initiative is to help low-income families whose socio-economic situation has worsened with the pandemic.
In India, the activity of BREADS, the Planning and Development Office of the India-Bangalore Province, continues unabated. Health kits have been distributed to the needy, vaccination clinics have been set up, and help has been offered to doctors and volunteers working on the front line against Covid-19. At the same time, the Salesians of Bhadravati distributed health kits to the residents of the “Siddhartha” Center for the Blind.
In Lebanon, in El Houssoun, the Salesian Youth Camp continues to be an oasis of peace for about 800 young people from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. These Christian and Muslim young people, participate together in sports and recreational activities where they find moments of true joy in a country hit by a prolonged economic depression.
Finally, in Vietnam, Salesian parishes have set up transit stations to distribute water and other basic necessities to people in isolation due to the pandemic. The Salesians in the cities of Da Lat and K'Long carry out support activities for the population and, in particular, have contacted the owners of gardens to obtain vegetables to send to the needy people of Ho Chi Minh.
