|PIC1|The government of Jharkhand, India has asked the Catholic Church for help in the distribution of food as aid to those affected by the drought in the eastern Indian state.

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi met with T.P. Sinha, advisor to Jharkhand Governor K. Sankarnarayanan at the end of August to issue a formal request for the Church’s assistance.

At the beginning of August the government declared the entire state as a drought zone, with many farmers sowing only 20 per cent of their rice paddy this year due to lack of water.

The government has set up grain storage centres to assist those living below the poverty line, and the administration wishes to use the Church’s diverse infrastructure across the state to optimise distribution.

Following the meeting, Cardinal Toppo said: “We are fully devoted in serving the poor. We are only too willing to extend our fullest cooperation to the state.”

He added: “The entire state is reeling under drought conditions and we would collaborate with the government to ensure proper distribution of food grains.”

He assured: “All our dioceses can be harnessed for this noble job.”