The city of Bahía Blanca is home to four Salesian Houses—Casa Emmaus, Don Bosco, La Piedad, and the Higher Education Salesian House composed of the Salesian University and the Giovanni XXIII Institute—and four Daughters of Mary Help of Christians communities—Laura Vicuña, Madre Mazzarello, Marina Coppa Sagrado Corazón, and Colegio María Auxiliadora.
Adrián Mandará, General Director of the Salesian Houses of Higher Education, described the impact of the floods: “Everything was covered by a tide of water, mud, wind, and desolation.” He went on to explain the aftermath, as the city grappled with halted services, destroyed roads, and widespread shortages of water and electricity, forcing life to a sudden standstill.
Similarly, Diego Fonseca, Director of the Salesian House “La Piedad,” described “mudslides” pouring down from the highlands as the Napostá stream and the Maldonado canal overflowed. “Suddenly, the city was filled with water and mud,” he said. “Most of the bridges connecting different neighborhoods collapsed. As people began cleaning their homes, piles of mud, furniture, clothes, and appliances started filling the streets.”
“The most difficult times and the places of greatest need are where we are called to serve, as sons and daughters of Don Bosco,” the Salesians of Bahía Blanca wrote. True to this spirit, a strong network of support was immediately organized to help affected families, as described by Sr. Silvia Boullosa, Provincial of the FMA in Argentina. In a letter to all communities, she highlighted the dedication of students, alumni, and staff who came together to draw water from the school and cook meals for those hit hardest.
Days after the disaster, Fr. Guillermo Tanos, SDB, Director of the “Emmaus” Salesian House and Rector of the Salesian University of Argentina, shared a message about the current reality of the Salesian Family in Bahía Blanca: “We are accompanying and sharing the suffering of our people, deeply affected by this tragedy.” Since the day of the flooding, communities across the area have opened soup kitchens in neighborhoods served by the Don Bosco–La Piedad parish. The response—especially from young Salesian volunteers—has been overwhelming.
Coordinating donations and distributing aid remains a major challenge, but the Salesians continue to show unwavering solidarity and support. Donations have poured in from across the country, and volunteers of all ages have offered their time and energy. There's something about this service that goes beyond meeting material needs. “We didn’t just aim to cover basic needs—we wanted to offer a concrete gesture of humanity and compassion,” said Adrián Mandará.
“We are proud and grateful for the solidarity and dedication of so many young people in our communities,” added Fr. Willy. “They were the first to step up and meet the most vulnerable—not just bringing warm meals, but also offering closeness and hope in the most devastated corners. We feel sorrow for the suffering of our people in Bahía, but we have deep faith in our Salesian mission.”
150 years ago, the first Salesian missionaries arrived in Argentina with the dream of spreading the Gospel to the most remote corners of the land and reaching every child, youth, and adult. The response to the disaster in Bahía Blanca proves that their dream lives on. “Once again, Argentina has responded with incredible generosity to the urgent needs of those suffering most,” Adrián concluded.
Source: Boletín Salesiano de Argentina
