Read original here: The Dalai Lama visits earthquake zones in Italy
EFE. Roma. 24 June, 2012.
The Dalai Lama today visited the areas affected by the earthquakes in Emilia Romagna of the 20 and 29 of May and that they left 26 victims and close to 15.000 homeless people.
The Tibetan spiritual leader in exile stopped at the camp for evacuees created by the Civil Protection in the small town of Mirandola, whose historic center was completely destroyed by the earthquakes.
Hundreds of people gathered in Mirandola to greet the religious leader, quien les animó a "ser determinados y a mirar al futuro" pues solo así podrán tener "la fuerza de seguir adelante y construir una nueva casa".
"He visto las casas y fábricas destrozadas llegando hasta aquí. It's a disaster. He rezado por todos vosotros cuando supe lo del terremoto", said the Dalai Lama, quien recordó que siempre ha instado a "mirar al futuro" on his visits to other areas that have been devastated by natural calamities, like Japan's last earthquake and tsunami.
El Dalai Lama también anunció que no venía "con las manos vacías" and made a donation of 50.000 euros for the victims, which is added to another of the same amount that was made last May.
Next Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI will also travel to Rovereto di Novi, one of the towns most affected by the earthquake, and there he will meet some victims and civil and ecclesiastical authorities and will return that same morning.
