Humanitarian aid

The fuel shortage makes distribution of aid more challenging, and garbage pickup throughout the region is “almost nonexistent.”

Power outages have been common for years, Archbishop García added, so even when people had food, cooking it was not easy.

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski said the aid mission was a tangible sign that the pope has not forgotten the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

Aid organizations whose licenses have been revoked include Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, CARE and World Vision International.

“It goes to show the power of faith” that some 66 years after the Cuban Revolution still there helping the people “is the Catholic Church and people of faith.”

“We don’t have bombs every day, but the vast majority of the infrastructure is destroyed. … People are living in tents without anything.”

The floods have receded, and volunteer teams, along with locals, have begun cleaning their homes, which are filled with mud and dirty water.

JERUSALEM (OSV News) — In the Gaza Strip, the fragile calm following the Oct. 13 Israel-Hamas peace deal has brought little relief to the enclave’s small Christian community. While portions …

“There is no electricity in Gaza other than (that provided by) solar (sources) and very limited generator power.”

With global hunger rising, an annual Lenten initiative by the U.S. Catholic bishops has “never been more needed,” says Catholic Relief Services official.