OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Caritas appeal for Pacific and Southeast Asia, struck by natural disasters

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - “Many communities in the Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia suffer natural catastrophes that lead to misery, evacuations, and extreme need. They need rapid and efficient assistance.” This is what Caritas Australia is saying as they launch their campaign for immediate emergency relief for the Samoan Islands, Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Philippines.
In a note sent to Fides, Caritas informed that it is responding to these emergencies by sending in volunteers and with economic support for humanitarian aid. “We are working with our local partners in the affected countries to channel assistance in the next phases of the recovery effort and into the longer term,” said Jack De Groot, Director of Caritas Australia.
The appeal has also been sent to the network of Caritas International and has been supported by other Caritas around the world.
De Groot notes that there is an urgent need to support local Caritas associations in the areas affected by the natural disasters, as those in the area know the situation and the needs and can offer a more efficient support.
Caritas Australia immediately pledged 250,000 dollars to the emergencies: the tsunami that struck the Samoan Islands and the earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra.
The Catholic Pastoral Centre at Logoipulotu (Samoa) has been converted to an emergency medical centre as patients have been relocated from the hospital. “Caritas Australia has an ongoing commitment to this region with development projects in Western Samoa and we will assist in the relief effort as directed by our partner agency Caritas Samoa,” De Groot said.
“Water is the main problem there. Without water no one can work very long in this heat and the sun,” says Peter Bendinelli, who is coordinating relief efforts for Caritas Samoa, which is working to establish temporary living quarters and basic survival assistance. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/10/2009)