Father Miguel FRITZ, General Councilor for Latin
America, tells of the background to the terrible floods that the Oblate
missions in the Chaco of Paraguay have endured in recent months.
When the
Missionary Oblates arrived in Paraguay in 1925, many indigenous communities,
particularly the Nivaclés, based their livelihood upon the Pilcomayo River
which was their means of survival and, therefore, considered their “paradise.”
The Oblates established there the first two missions where they eventually
built two parishes, a hospital and schools from which they defended the
Nivaclés, in a joint effort with two other religious congregations, against the
Bolivian military.
Forty years ago,
the capricious river completely flooded one of the parishes. Then, about 20
years ago, an Argentine president, with the support of the European Union,
faked a development project and constructed a canal which diverted water to the
Argentine side. The Paraguayan government, on its part, reacted by building a
canal toward the Paraguayan side, which, during the rainy season, watered this
side and was used by different ranches through the construction of dams, for
which the government reopened the old channels, in contrast to the Argentine
government which was less interested, because of widespread flooding; this led
to the neglect of the canal they had built.
Presently, the
Pilcomayo River on the Paraguayan side has been hit by various disasters as the
result of three factors:
- More abundant rain than normal.
- The widening of the river, from its origins in Bolivia.
- The ranches that disobeyed the government’s orders to open the
dams that prevented drainage through the available channels.
On May 7, Fr. Anuncio LÓPEZ sent Fr. Fritz an e-mail
with information regarding the present situation.
I am working amidst
the floods which were caused by the heavy rains which last January struck the
areas of Mariscal, Santa Teresita and Mariscal Estigarribia. The latter
remained flooded for a month; fortunately, there were no human victims to mourn
because the people took precautions and kept safe. Later, other weather
conditions caused rains of 800 to 2200 millimeters in some areas. Because of
this, the areas of Fischat, Esteros and General Diaz were flooded; at the latter,
the flood wall broke.
In the areas of
Campo Aceval, Linea 32 and Santa Maria, all the roads were impassable and it
was impossible to deliver aid by land due to the continuing rain; it was
possible to move help only by helicopter. As a vicariate, we decided not to
receive contributions and distribute them because we do not have the means to
deliver them, plus it could create problems in the communities. So we are
channeling all aid to the National Emergency Group who are doing their work
satisfactorily.
Unfortunately,
the community of Fischat-San Leandro is still cut off by land, either through
Argentina or Paraguay. The missionaries who are there are well and are trying
to get ahead of the situation which they are sharing with the people; they have
received some donations by helicopter, but it is not nearly enough since there
are situations of great need, such as the case of patients who want to be
evacuated as the need arises.
We are seeking
help for rebuilding the communities and lessening of the damages caused by the
floods. We hope that after the communities recover, we can begin the pastoral
care of support and strengthening the communities under our care; that’s how
we, as Oblates and as Church, want to respond. We commend ourselves to your
prayers.
