Amman, Dec. 10 (Petra)- Pope Leo XIV has sent financial assistance to residents affected in several countries in South and Southeast Asia following a natural disaster and cyclones that resulted in loss of life and severe material damage.

According to Vatican News, the Pope's aid covered Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Initial casualty reports spoke of 1,800 victims and more than 1,000 missing. Seasonal heavy rains coincided with tropical cyclones, leading to floods and landslides, which negatively impacted rescue operations.

Sumatra Island was among the worst-hit areas due to floods and landslides across three provinces on the island. In its latest count, the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) in Banda Aceh confirmed the death toll from the massive Sumatra floods had risen to 914 people.

//Petra// AF

10/12/2025 22:06:34