Pope appeals for aid for millions affected by Indian Ocean disasters

Published: 2004-12-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II appealed to the international community to come to the aid of millions of people hit by an Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tidal waves that affected 11 countries. "Let us ensure our solidarity for all those who suffer" and may "the international community do its best to bring relief to those hit" by the disasters, the pope said after his weekly Angelus prayer Dec. 26. Tens of thousands of people died when a magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia Dec. 26 triggered enormous tidal waves called tsunamis. The Associated Press reported more than 44,000 people were dead as of Dec. 28, but the toll was expected to increase. Millions, primarily in South and Southeast Asia, were left homeless. International aid agencies began what was considered to be an unprecedented disaster relief operation -- getting food, water, medicines and temporary shelter to millions of people spread out across 11 countries, as far away as Somalia and Seychelles, an island country off the East coast of Africa.

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