Caritas has started its aid intervention on the Portuguese island Madeira. The island has been struck by massive rains on Saturday. The natural disaster left at least 42 people dead. Another 120 people, possibly more, were injured.

Hundreds of people are now homeless and need immediate aid.

The local Caritas of Funchal, the island’s main city, is already providing housing, food and blankets.

So far, 25, 000 Euros (34,000 dollars) have been made available. More financial supports will follow.

The aid operation is conducted in close cooperation with the civil protection regional office.

The storms were the deadliest on Madeira since October 1993, when eight people died. Winds blowing at over 100 kilometers per hour and the stormy sea caused severe material damage. The flooding destroyed houses and bridges, mainly in the Funchal region and at the Ribeira Brava on the island’s coast.

For more information, please contact Maria Luisa Correira (Portuguese/French) or João Pereira (English) at +351 21 84 54 220.