Imphal, March 31: In a humanitarian gesture, Rev Dominic Lumon DD, the Archbishop of Imphal inaugurated the relief distribution programme of rice to the hailstorm victims of Chandel district to be carried out by Diocesan Social Service Society (DSSS), Imphal, the official development wing of the Archdiocese of Imphal at St Paul's Parish (St Paul's School campus) at Liwachangning in Chandel district today.

Director of DSSS Fr Varghese Velickakam, Fr Riji and Dr KC George, the Parish Priest and the Assistant Parish Priest of St Paul's Parish respectively, village chiefs and church leaders were also present at the occasion.

The relief programme is being supported by the Italian Bishops' Conference and Caritas India.

The programme is being carried out in response to the disaster due to the high magnitude hailstorm that lashed various places of Manipur destroying standing crops and properties of the people on October 21 and 28.Speaking at the function, Rev Dominic said Pastoral, Educational, Health and Development are four importance services being carried out by Catholic Mission in Manipur.

The relief programme is one of the component of the development activities of the Catholic Church, he explained, while adding that when people suffer due to such natural calamities, the Church cannot remain a mere spectators.

He also noted that the resources of its funding partners come from the Sunday collections and campaign for the third world countries.

In his address, Fr Varghese Velickakam said in the first phase of rice distribution, the bulk of the relief will be provided to the people living in the most affected areas of Chandel district and it would be followed suit in other affected arts of Senapati, Ukhrul and Imphal East with the target of reaching out to 44 affected villages.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, chief of Kapaam village Ng Komon exalted the yeomen service of the DSSS in responding to the needs of the people in time of disaster and decried the alleged apathy of the Govt in this regard inspite of wide media coverage and petitioning by the affected people.

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