Vietnamese Catholics take aid to disaster victims

(UCA News): Catholics in northern Vietnam have rushed to provide emergency relief for thousands of villagers whose properties were heavily damaged by floods and hail.
The Disaster Management Authority reported that floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains and high winds hit the six provinces of Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La and Yen Bai from April 22-24, leaving five dead, one missing and 37 others injured.
The disaster also damaged 12,700 houses and ruined 4,300 hectares of crops.
Father Peter Phan Kim Huan, pastor of Pho Lu Parish in Lao Cai, said a group of two priests and other people led by him visited and offered emergency food to tens of ethnic Dao, Hmong and Kinh families in his parish on April 27. Each family was given 25 kilograms of rice, a package of instant noodles and money.
Father Huan said the aid was donated by Father Francis Xavier Nguyen Duc Dai from Huu Bang Parish in Bac Ninh province and Father Joseph Hoang Quoc Oai, a Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate priest who works in the province.