Shimla: In the wake of the devastating cloudburst that struck the Tunag and Jangeli regions of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, the Catholic Church has stepped forward with compassionate relief efforts aimed at supporting those hit hardest by the natural calamity.
With relentless rainfall causing widespread destruction and displacing hundreds, the Church's humanitarian arms Manav Vikas Samiti, the social action wing of the Shimla-Chandigarh Diocese, and Caritas India have mobilized swift emergency aid for 210 affected families.
Speaking on the initiative, Fr. Lenin Henry, Director of Manav Vikas Samiti, said the Church is prioritizing the most vulnerable households, especially those who have lost everything to the sudden floods and landslides. Despite treacherous terrain and ongoing weather challenges, church volunteers, in coordination with local authorities, reached remote villages to deliver much-needed assistance.
Each family received a comprehensive relief kit comprising blankets, sleeping mats, torches, hygiene and sanitation supplies, and daily-use items to help them manage in temporary shelters. The initiative, Fr. Henry noted, was not just about material aid but a message of solidarity and hope in the face of adversity.
Several victims, overwhelmed by the destruction of their homes and livelihoods, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Church, with many stating it was the first tangible help they had received since the disaster struck.
“It’s in moments like these that the Church must reflect the compassion of Christ to be a refuge for those who suffer,” Fr. Henry said, thanking donors and volunteers who rallied behind the relief mission.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, the official death toll has climbed to 78, with dozens still unaccounted for. The situation remains grim in many interior regions where access is limited due to damaged roads and landslides.
Amid these hardships, the Catholic Church’s timely intervention has brought not just relief supplies but also a sense of community support and emotional reassurance to those struggling to rebuild their lives from the ruins.