Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Diocese’s Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) and the Canara Organisation for Development and Peace (CODP) launched “Mission KA-2019: Mission Karnataka and Kerala” and commenced flood-relief services on August 11.
The relief efforts were carried out under the guidance of Mangaluru Diocese Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, ICYM Director Fr Ronald D’Souza, Designate Director Fr Ashwin Cardoza, ICYM President Leon Loyd Saldanha and ICYM Secretary Veena Vas along with the Deaneries of the Diocese.
The last few weeks saw massive floods sweeping the southern coast of India as parts of Karnataka and Kerala received torrential rainfall. Acknowledging the need of the hour, the ICYM and CODP coordinated relief provisions to those affected by the floods.
Items such as rice, dal, sanitary pads, biscuits, drinking water, cooking oil, clothes, soaps, raincoats and various non-perishable items were collected by the ICYM members from several Catholic parishes within the Diocese.
The donated items were segregated and dispatched to flood-affected regions in Belgaum, Karwar, Calicut, Wayanad, Dharwad as well as nearby places such as Belthangady. An estimated Rs 50 lakhs worth of items was distributed to various parts of the state. Nearly 100 ICYM members volunteered to carry out the mission under the leadership of Leon Saldanha, at the ICYM Youth Office in Olivet House, Jeppu. Members also visited the flood-hit areas and engaged in relief work.
It can be recalled that in August 2018, the ICYM had successfully launched a similar humanitarian mission called “Mission K2K: Kudla to Kodagu and Kerala” and had supplied relief materials to flood-affected areas.
The ICYM has been praised for their relief services among several youth organisations in the state. Mangaluru Diocese Vicar General Msgr Maxim L Noronha congratulated the youngsters on launching “Mission KA – 2019”.
The ICYM Central Council expressed its gratitude to all the donors, members and truck drivers for volunteering on short notice.
