After many months, the Covid-19 pandemic persists with the number of deaths and infections still increasing. Unavoidable lockdowns have kept millions of people from work, and consequently, many lack sufficient food, money and other things important for daily living. On different occasions, Pope Francis has asked us to help the poor around the world who suffer from this pandemic. The Jesuits from around the world, led by Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ, are answering the call by encouraging their brothers to assist the poor and suffering in their own provinces or countries.
In Thailand, Regional Superior Fr Agustinus Sugiyo Pitoyo SJ appointed a team of Jesuits from different communities: Fr Vinai Boonlue SJ (Coordinator), together with Fr Saichon Kanyulai SJ and Fr Beda Yassao SJ to begin various programmes. Under their leadership, each Jesuit community continues to discern how to implement relief efforts in their areas. Fr Socius Miguel Garaizabal SJ is promoting these efforts by sharing the Gospel values through social media. As of now, there has been a continuous flow of support from many Jesuit friends and benefactors who have given funds and promoted these efforts through social media.
After conducting a survey in Chiang Rai province, Fr Vinai found the most urgent need to be among migrant workers, who have become unemployed since the lockdown. These workers and their families are mostly from Myanmar with a few from Laos. Some are from minority tribes, such as Akkha, Lahu, and others. With financial support from many benefactors, Fr Vinai and staff from Xavier Learning Community have been distributing necessary items, such as rice, oil, and milk. Concerned for health care, as well, we provided community leaders with thermometers to help them keep track of their community members’ temperatures, and distributed soap and other items along with information concerning good hygiene to prevent infection.
Different organisations have also shown their support by sharing their expertise. Professors and researchers of Mae Fha Luang University collected data and created training methods related to healthcare; lawyers and human rights specialists provide free legal assistance, and foundations offer their services to vulnerable women and children. In addition, there are volunteers from Myanmar who help with translation. At the moment we are helping more than 300 families.
Meanwhile, the Jesuits at the Seven Fountains community distributed mostly instant food and cooking ingredients to different families in central Chiang Mai and nearby districts. Through the help of our current and former workers, we received information about families who have been unemployed and are in most need of help. Thus far, we have had two rounds of giving: the first round included 27 families and the second round included 21 families and one community of Carmelite Sisters. Among these families, many are old and sick.
One of our students from Xavier Learning Community in Chiang Rai who had gone home to Kanchanaburi province, west of Thailand, informed us that many families in her village are suffering because of unemployment. Fr Pitoyo and some companions responded by providing basic goods to five families there.
As well, we found out from one of our Jesuit candidates who come from Huay Yen, a Mong village in Chiang Mai, that his village is in need of help. Jesuits and lay collaborators visited his village to distribute relief packages consisting of rice, eggs, canned fish, instant noodles, and other food items to 30 families.
In all these efforts, we do not work alone. We collaborate with many people and organisations who generously share their talents and resources to help us discern how best we can reach out to people in need.
Fr Nopparat Ruankool SJ is the Development Officer of the Thailand Jesuit Region.