MADRID & MELBOURNE: 28th December '04 -- The efforts of Salesians on the ground in areas where their people have been most affected, namely the Vice Province of Sri Lanka and the two provinces covering the Indian state of Tamil Nadu (Tiruchy and Madras), will benefit from additional relief channelled via the Congregation.

    The phones have been running hot at the General Administration office in Rome as people are in contact sometimes just to enquire, to show support, but also to pledge support, often by mobilising parish and local organisations to provide donations either of funds or materials where they can be best applied.

    In the meantime at least two major funding efforts have been mounted.  Fr. Alencherry, the Missions Councillor in Rome has been able to offer the Sri Lanka Vice Province, through the good offices of the Madrid Missions Office, a sum of 50,000 Euro to be immediately available for situations of relief and essential reconstruction.

    From Melbourne, Australia, comes news of an appeal mounted by the Australian Salesian Missions Overseas Aid Fund (ASMOAF).  The previous campaign conducted by this Missions Office was for East Timor and was most successful.  Bro Michael Lynch, campaign director, in appealing for these new funds has nominated the areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala in India, as well as Sri Lanka and Thailand.