Volunteer Ministers Rush to the Aid of Earthquake Victims 

Volunteer Ministers bring relief in Central Italy following Wednesday’s deadly earthquake.

It was déjà vu for the Italian Volunteer Ministers who sprang into action in the wake of Wednesday’s deadly 6.2 magnitude earthquake that killed some 290 and has caused an estimated $11 billion damage.

The International Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Coordinator has also put out a call for more volunteers and asks that anyone able to do so, contact the Volunteer Ministers website.

Known as Pro.Civi.Co.S (Civil Protection Team of the Scientology Community) the Volunteer Ministers hail from Scientology Churches throughout Italy including Rome, Florence, Naples, Padova, Milano and Torino. And many of them are veterans of the deadly 2009 L’Aquila temblor where they contributed more than 18,000 volunteer hours helping the city and region recover.

The quake was followed by some 500 aftershocks over the next several days, including a 5.5 magnitude tremor.

The August 24 quake leveled the city of Amatrice and left hundreds of cultural heritage sites damaged or destroyed.

Flags flew at half-mast Saturday as a mass funeral was held for 35 of the victims.

Many survivors are now living in tent villages set up by the emergency services. More than 1,200 people have been left homeless.

“So far, our concentration has been pulling together the supplies needed by the survivors and the rescue workers,” says Fabrizio Monti of the Church of Scientology Rome. “The response has been so great that authorities have announced not to send any more food. We are collecting the supplies that are still needed: Cots, small items of medical equipment, blankets, bed sheets, clothing and flashlights.”

Two full vans of these items left the Church of Scientology Rome on Saturday and were driven to the collection center in a town near the disaster zone.

A global network of Volunteer Ministers mobilizes in times of manmade and natural disasters, answering the call wherever needed. Collaborating with some 1,000 organizations and agencies, they have utilized their skill and experience in providing physical support and spiritual aid at hundreds of disaster sites.

The motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is “Something can be done about it.” The program, created in the mid 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard and sponsored by the Church of Scientology International as a religious social service, constitutes one of the world’s largest international independent relief forces.