Pope urges international community to increase quake relief efforts

Published: 2005-10-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged the international community to step up relief efforts for victims of the massive earthquake in South Asia, saying that aid was not keeping pace with people's needs. The pope made his appeal at a Sunday blessing at the Vatican Oct. 30, more than three weeks after the quake left an estimated 80,000 people dead and more than 3 million homeless. Most of the victims were on the Pakistani side of the mountainous Kashmir region. "There have been numerous forms of solidarity, but the need appears greater than the aid offered so far," the pope said. "Therefore, I renew my appeal to the international community to multiply the efforts in support of these populations so sorely tried," he said. The earthquake also affected areas of India and Afghanistan. The day after it struck, the pope asked the world community to be "swift and generous" in its help to the affected populations.

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