MEDIA RELEASE
October 20, 2009.
Caritas responding to Communities in Crisis across the Asia Pacific;
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277,000 people targeted for assistance.
Nearly three weeks after Typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes
and flooding ripped through
our region, Caritas Australia is delivering assistance to more than 277,000 people across
the affected area of the Asia- Pacific.
“Although the media focus has shifted from the disaster areas, now is the critical time for
aid agencies as we are in the midst of the immediate emergency phase and will soon be
moving to the medium and long term response which gets communities back on their feet.”
said Caritas CEO Jack De Groot.
“Before, during and after the crisis is our motto and Caritas Australia’s Communities in
Crisis – Asia Pacific Appeal is continuing to direct funds to local partners with the goal of
building communities back to be stronger and more resilient” said Mr de Groot.
Caritas Australia’s response across the Asia Pacific includes:
Samoa Delivering assistance within six hours of the tsunami, the local Caritas initially
prioritised rescue, food and water to 5,000 people and provided counselling for those
traumatised by the wave. Caritas Samoa is commencing the provision of housing in the
devastated villages of Satitoa, Salea-Aumua and Poutasi.
Philippines Caritas is providing medical attention, shelter, basic hygiene kits, clothing and
educational resources to more than 52,000 people in the heavily flooded Quezon City.
Vietnam Caritas is supplying clean water, medical supplies and repairing health facilities
in addition to assisting 2,500 people in the aftermath of Cyclone Ketsana.
Cambodia The Cambodian government has requested Caritas coordinate the emergency
relief efforts in Kampong Thom province and is assisting over 3,300 people, following
Cyclone Ketsana.
Indonesia Caritas is distributing shelter, hygiene and tool kits to a total of 27,500 people in
remote villages outside Padang.
India Caritas Australia is assisting local Caritas partners
to
assist 177,000 people
with tarpaulins, food, cooking utensils, clean drinking water, bedding and mosquito nets,
following heavy flooding.
Nepal following flash floods and consequent landslides, Caritas is assisting 9850 people
with food, household items and livelihood generation activities.
You can support the Caritas Australia Communities in Crisis – Asia Pacific
More information Tim O’Connor 02) 8306 3400 or 0417 284 831
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development
28-32 O’Riordan St, Alexandria, NSW, Australia, 2015 Toll Free 1800 024 413 Facsimile 1800 887 895
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