Caritas Manila, the social service arm of the Archdiocese of Manila, has received financial assistance from Caritas Germany to help fund its assistance to families affected by the pandemic.
 
Caritas Germany gave a cash donation of €100,000.
 
Rev, Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila said, the donation will be used for the Caritas Damayan Emergency Food and Non-Food Assistance program for COVID-19 Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine Families of Caritas Manila.
 
The program, which started Monday (Oct 19), aims to provide assistance to more than 4,500 residents in Barangay 201 in Pasay City, particularly in the areas covered by the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, which has the most number of affected families.
 
“The assistance extended by Caritas Germany has provided great help to poor families affected by the pandemic. The collaboration of the two Church institutions is proof that the Catholic Church is true to its mission of serving the poor. We are grateful to Caritas Germany for their help for the poor affected by the pandemic here in Pasay City,” Pascual said over Radio Veritas.
 
“We know that COVID-19 damages not only the health of the Philippines but also the livelihood of many people. Many are starving today, and many children have become malnourished. The poor have increased by 8 million. Caritas Germany's response of P5-million pesos is a big help to the urban poor in this crisis. This is the real charity in action. We spread the charity virus  against the Coronavirus,”.
 
The poorest among the poor families in the said area in Pasay City will receive food packs containing rice, canned goods, pancit, dried fish, and legumes. They will also receive hygiene kits that include alcohol, face mask, gloves, soap, and vitamins.
 
Since the quarantine started, Caritas Manila has distributed more than P1.7 billion worth of gift certificates to families affected by COVID-19 in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.