Pope appeals to international community to help flood victims in Kerala

Pope Francis led the crowds gathered at St Peter’s Square in prayer for those suffering from “this great calamity.”

Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to the international community to provide “concrete support” to tens of thousands of flood victims in Kerala, calling the deluge a “great calamity”.

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the flooding at St Peter’s Square, the Vatican News reported. (AFP)

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the flooding at St Peter’s Square, the Vatican News reported.

“The inhabitants of Kerala have been harshly struck by intense rains, which have caused flooding and landslides, with heavy loss of human life, with many people missing and displaced, with extensive damage to crops and homes,” he said.

He voiced his hopes that “these brothers and sisters” would be supported by “our solidarity, and by concrete support from the international community”.

He expressed his closeness to the Catholic Church in Kerala, “which is at the forefront of efforts to bring aid to the population.”

Pope Francis then led the crowds gathered at St Peter’s Square in prayer for those suffering from “this great calamity.”

Nearly 200 people have been killed since August 8 in the state’s worst floods in a century while over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE KERALA GOVERNMENT’S RELIEF FUND:

◼ Account number: 67319948232
◼ Bank: State Bank of India
◼ Branch: City branch, Thiruvananthapuram

◼ IFS Code: SBIN0070028
◼ PAN: AAAGD0584M
◼ Name of Donee: CMDRF

Kerala helpline numbers

◼ Kasargode: +91 9446601700
◼ Kannur: +91 944 6682300
◼ Kozhikode: +91 944 6538900
◼ Wayanad: +91 807 8409770
◼ Malappuram: +91 938 3463212
◼ Malappuram: +91 938 3464212
◼ Thrissur: +91 944 7074424
◼ Thrissur: +91 487 2363424
◼ Palakkad: +91 8301803282
◼ Ernakulam: +91 790 2200400
◼ Ernakulam: +91 790 2200300

◼ Alappuzha: +91 477 2238630
◼ Alappuzha: +91 949 5003630
◼ Alappuzha: +91 949 5003640
◼ Idukki: +91 906 1566111
◼ Idukki: +91 938 3463036
◼ Kottayam: +91 944 6562236
◼ Kottayam: +91 944 6562236
◼ Pathanamthitta: +91 807 8808915
◼ Kollam: +91 944 7677800
◼ Thiruvananthapuram: +91 949 7711281