CATHOLIC international and national organisations including Aid to the Church in Need and Caritas Australia are being stretched to the limit as they rush to respond to recent natural disasters in South East Asia and the Pacific.
Caritas Australia has dispatched relief teams to Padang in Indonesia and also launched the Communities in Crisis appeal for those people wishing to donate to the victims of all the disasters.
International Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need has already sent a $22,000 aid package for distribution in the typhoon-ravaged Philippine’s dioceses of Cubao and Antipolo.
The Australian Salesian Missions office has also launched an appeal for victims of the various disasters.
Missions Brother Michael Lynch said both the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters have communities in Samoa impacted by the tsunami.
Salesian Sister Doris Barbero managed to rescue 320 children in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake in Leauva’a in coastal Samoa.
However, Salesian Brother Nuku Lefai last week learnt his mother had been swept away from one of the north islands of Tonga.
“We simply ask you to join with the Australian provincial, the province community, in prayer for Nuku and his family, remembering too the rising death toll, the equal number of injured,” Br Lynch said.
“May we be spared further devastating news of this kind.”
Br Lynch advised that donations can be sent to: Salesian Missions Office, PO Box 264, Ascot Vale, Vic 3032.
Caritas agencies from around the world have pledged $4.1 million including about $500,000 in aid to the survivors as it ships tarps, tools, rope blankets and other goods to 15 heavily damaged villages in Lurah Ampalu and eight villages in Sangai Sarik.
Caritas Australia has pledged $250,000 for its initial response to communities throughout the earthquake, tsunami and typhoon hit areas.
It has also joined with Karina, the local Caritas agency in Indonesia, and Catholic Relief Services to provide immediate aid in Sumatra.
Caritas Australia chief executive officer Jack de Groot said “Caritas teams are carrying out assessments on the ground”.
“Immediate needs are food, shelter, access to clean water, medical help for the injured and temporary shelter,” he said.
“Aid agencies are massively over stretched at present, but we are having a real impact in saving lives as the threat of disease mounts.
“We need more support from the Australian people to ensure we can have a lasting impact on rebuilding these shattered communities for a long time.”
Caritas Australia is accepting donations to the Communities in Crisis – Asia Pacific Appeal and once immediate needs are met will focus on the long-term rehabilitation of the affected populations.
To support the Caritas Australia Communities in Crisis – Asia Pacific Appeal call 1800 024 413 or visit online at www.caritas.org.au
The Australian office of Aid to the Church in Need can be contacted on (02) 9679 1929 or at info@aidtochurch.org
