The Holy Father, deeply concerned about the populations struck by the devastating tsunami that has affected Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, and as a follow-up to his appeal to the international community during the Angelus on Sunday, 26 December, has arranged for concrete relief to be sent to these lands.

            The Pontifical Council Cor Unum has been charged, through the respective Pontifical Representatives, to deliver this emergency aid to Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Somalia.

            The Church has made a unanimous gesture of fraternal solidarity by providing concrete help to meet the grave needs of those struck: the Italian Bishops' Conference has allocated 3 million Euros while Caritas Internationalis has already raised over 2 million American Dollars.  Some Caritas members such as Austria, The Netherlands and the United States have sent experts to Southeast Asia to coordinate the efforts of the various national Caritas organizations. The Jesuit Refugee Services also support the efforts of local Churches.

            Cor Unum, who in the name of the Holy Father is closely following developments and the work of the different Ecclesial Organizations, appeals to the faithful, both individuals and communities, to generously support the efforts made by their own local Churches and charitable organizations, to bring relief to those severely affected by this devastating disaster.

            All who wish to entrust to the Holy Father their gesture of charity for our afflicted Asian brothers and sisters can send their donations to the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, 00120 Vatican City - "Asian emergency".

Donations in Euros from Italy may be made through a postal transfer from any Italian post office:

Account N. 603035

To the order of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum - 00120 Vatican City

For the Asian Emergency

Donations in other currencies may be made to the order of:

Pontifical Council Cor Unum

Account No. 101010

Bank:   Banca di Roma

International Bank Code (IBAN): IT93 J 03002 05008 000000 101010

SWIFT Code: BROMITR1204

For:     Asian Emergency

Please, clearly specify your name and address. For any further information please feel free to contact Cor Unum at 06-69889411 or corunum@corunum.va.

L'Osservatore Romano, English Edition, N. 1 (January 5, 2005)