
WYD carbon offsets go to Nepalese forestry project
Pilgrims travelling to Sydney for World Youth Day have benefited a Caritas community forestry project in Nepal by $17,500 in voluntary carbon offsets. Read more ...

Caritas Director Mike Smith (right) receives the $17,500 from Ross Jamieson of Williment Travel, which collected the carbon offset contributions from pilgrims on behalf of the World Youth Day committee.
Refugee Myths and Realities
Caritas' Refugee Myths and Realities fact sheet has been very well-received. Prepared for Refugee Week and the Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants in June, and distributed to Catholic parishes and schools, it dispels common myths about refugees. More information and material for download on our Refugee Week 2008 page.
Burma (Myanmar) Cyclone Relief
Thank you to our donors who have contributed over $130,000 to our Special Appeal to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis with food, shelter and medicine. The international Caritas appeal is targetting NZ$10.5 million, and is working through Catholic Church partners and other networks on the ground in Burma (Myanmar) to distribute aid to those in need. Go to our
Emergencies page for more, or check out the
Caritas Internationalis site.
We have a Treaty - Cluster Bombs Ban Agreed
Last month in Dublin, 112 nations adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to prohibit the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs. Both New Zealand and the Vatican were key proponents of a strong, comprehensive Treaty. Caritas is a member of the
Aotearoa NZ Cluster Munitions Coalition, which will now focus on getting swift ratification of the new treaty.
Thank you for your Lenten contributions

Caritas appreciates contributions to our
Lent 2008 Appeal. Donations are still coming in and being processed. The total so far is over $800,000. Receipts have been mailed out to donors.
You may still contribute to the Lent appeal online through our secure donations page, or by credit card on 0800 22 10 22.
Peace Lamp for the Holy Land
Peace lamps in the form of an oil lamp (like the one shown) or a dove are available for borrowing from Caritas. The Peace Lamp for the Holy Land project promoted by Caritas Jerusalem encourages prayers for the Holy Land, and provides jobs in the region.