The Pope has established this Emergency Solidarity Fund to come to the aid of those people and communities who are being tragically impacted by the spread of COVID-19 in the Pope’s missions, as it supports religious Sisters and Brothers, priests, and lay pastoral workers who reach out through hospitals and small clinics, and parish and social ministries, providing vital health care, as well as basic needs, including food and shelter. The Church is often on the front lines of major threats to human well-being. In Africa alone, there are over 74,000 religious Sisters and over 46,000 priests operating 7,274 hospitals and clinics, 2,346 homes for elderly and the vulnerable, and educating over 19 million children in 45,088 primary schools. In many rural areas they are the only providers of healthcare and education. The Pope is calling upon the Church’s entire vast network to face the challenges ahead. Through the Church’s activity of practical aid through its vast network shows that no one is alone in this crisis. 100% of your donation will be directed to those efforts in the Pope’s missions at this critical moment.