Mocoa (Colombia), 04/03/2017, Sr. Maria Escayola, Superior General, and Community of General Government.-Mocoa is a Colombian municipality, capital of the Department of Putumayo, located in the south of the country, 618 Kilometers from Bogotá, capital of Colombia. An impoverished region, whose inhabitants live in a large area of high risk, which was surprised by heavy rains, in the evening hours of Friday, March 31st and the early morning of April 1st , 2017.
Mocoa17 neighborhoods of the city were damaged, of which 5 of them were totally destroyed. At least 284 people have been reported dead and more than 400 injured, with an undetermined number of missing people (preliminary statistics from 2nd of April 2017). Because of the large number of wounded, the hospital was unable to cope with any number of casualties, and several wounded were referred to other cities. The avalanche knocked down the electricity networks and damage the local hydroelectric generator, leaving other areas of the department without power. The aqueduct intakes were also damaged. The national government declared the state of calamity in the area.The Congregation has been an evangelizing presence in this place since January 1992, when the first sisters arrived to take over the Parish Pastoral Care of the Vicariate. At present the Sisters coordinate at the Diocesan level, the Program of Evangelization with the SINE methodology "System for the New Evangelization", respond to the pastoral care in the Cathedral and other parishes in the diocese and those who cannot respond directly, support in various ways this missionary commitment.
From the Province of Bogota, a structure to which Mocoa belongs, a group went the day after the tragedy, and some days later, other sisters have been helping them, to support and be a presence of Church and Congregation in that place. During Holy Week, other sisters will also travel to strengthen and accompany the local families.
The sisters do not cease to help the most affected
The Lord is inviting us TODAY to live in a concrete way the solidarity with our brothers of Mocoa.* Between the muds... poverty... death... HOPE HAS TO START AGAIN!
Mocoa (Internet photo)
Mocoa (Internet photo)
Mocoa
Mocoa As a Congregation, we express our solidarity with the Province of Bogotá, the Community of Mocoa and the people of this city suffering destruction and death