The Diocese of Dumaguete has sent financial aid to victims of the Beirut, Lebanon explosion through the international Catholic relief confederation, Caritas.

Bishop Julito Cortes, in an interview Wednesday, said the diocese received PHP800,000 from individuals and groups from the month-long campaign to help the victims of the Beirut blast last August.

The diocese gave support to the Caritas Damayan-Lebanon to help those who were affected by the ammonium nitrate blast that was reported to have killed around 200 people.

“We have our own problems, of course, but they have far more greater problems than us that we need to help, in solidarity and in communion with them,” Cortes said.

He thanked the people for their generosity despite the limited time to raise the funds.

The financial aid to Lebanon was coursed through Caritas-Manila and Caritas International which, in turn, will forward the amount to its counterpart in Beirut, the bishop said.

The diocese has responded to similar calls for aid in previous disasters in the country, such as the devastation brought about by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. (PNA)