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Caritas Argentina pleads for aid to help victims of catastrophic wildfires

Church relief agency in Argentina is urging all of society to support relief work that is being carried out and help families overcome inferno

La Croix International

Caritas Argentina is calling for urgent relief aid to help those affected by numerous devastating fires in the northeastern region of the country dependent on agriculture.

A scorching heatwave has let to raging wildfires in the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes, devouring wildlife, agricultural production fields, livestock farms, rural structures and the homes of forest workers and gatherers, in recent days. 

In Corrientes alone, eight separate fires in the province devastated almost 800,000 hectares (1.98 million acres), according to officials.

Authorities estimate losses so far at more than 26 billion Argentine pesos (more than $240m), and environmentalists say the province may need years to recover.

Strong winds, low humidity and dryness from drought fueled the fires beginning in mid-January. 

Caritas Argentina is urging all of society to collaborate financially, in addition to relief aid, to support the work that is being carried out and help families overcome this emergency. 

It says is impossible to estimate the losses of people in the region already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Caritas volunteers are in the areas to support the work of the firefighters and to participate in the interventions coordinated by civil organizations.  

But state aid is insufficient given the scale of the disaster and the supplies, especially bottled water, which must be purchased to support the work of firefighters and volunteer groups.  

For some time now, local bishops have been inviting the faithful to intensify their prayers for rain.

Given the deep Marian devotion of the local population and on the initiative of Archbishop Andres Stanovnik of Corrientes, pilgrim images of the Virgin of Itatí are visiting areas of the archdiocese.  

These visits will culminate on Sunday, February 27, when the traditional opening of the Pastoral Year is scheduled with the celebration presided over by the archbishop, Fides reported.