Pope Francis has sent more than 350,000 euros ($411,000) in charity funds at his personal disposal to help with emergency relief in Haiti, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
A statement issued by the Vatican on Tuesday said that an amount of 200,000 euros was going to Haiti to help in the aftermath of the Aug. 14 earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people.
About 60,000 euros were sent to Bangladesh for continued recovery assistance from Cyclone Yaas, which left thousands homeless last May.
100,000 euros were directed to Vietnam, where food supplies have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vatican said the sums were initial contributions and would be administered through its embassies in the countries.
Much of the charity money at the pope’s personal disposal comes from Peter’s Pence, a fund to which Catholics can contribute for general or specific causes.
According to a consolidated financial statement issued last month, the fund amounted to 50 million euros in 2020.
