Local groups raise funds to aid Portugal disaster relief

The Holy House of Mercy donated 300,000 euros, and Caritas Macau launched a fundraising campaign to aid areas in Portugal that have suffered from Storm Leonor, which has so far resulted in 18 deaths and thousands of people losing their homes.

This initiative aims to fully support the Misericórdias, the civil parish in Lisbon, and related service facilities in various regions of Portugal severely affected by the storm and flooding, highlighting the solidarity and bond between the Misericórdias of Macau and Portugal, which has lasted for over four and a half centuries.

The União das Misericórdias Portuguesas (UMP) said it had received the donation of 300,000 euros from the Holy House of Mercy in Macau to support the significant damage caused by Storm Leonor.

Earlier this month, Caritas Macau also launched a three-month fundraising campaign for those affected by the storms in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar.

In the end, the money raised will be sent to Caritas Spain and Caritas Portugal, with which Caritas Macau has long maintained a partnership.

“Residents of Macau include Portuguese citizens. Our colleagues are Portuguese, our neighbors are Portuguese, our partners are Portuguese. Perhaps our teachers are Portuguese,” said Paul Pun, secretary-general of Caritas Macau.

He added, “When we see and realize that there is suffering there [in Portugal], we can help.”

According to the 2021 census, more than 2,200 people born in Portugal reside in Macau. The Consulate-General of Portugal recently told Lusa that an estimated 155,000 residents of Macau and Hong Kong hold Portuguese passports. Ricaela Diputado