Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged NZ$10,000 to help relief efforts in Fiji following Cyclone Tomas, and is accepting donations from the public.
Caritas Director Michael Smith says the Catholic aid and development agency will be working through long-time Fijian partner the Ecumenical Centre for Research Education and Advocacy (ECREA), which works with marginalised communities in Fiji.
ECREA is assessing need in Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Levuka, particularly within existing informal settlements. ECREA had also recently undertaken community-based emergency preparedness in response to January 2009 floods and cyclone Mick in December. This involved delivery of water tanks, and pre-positioning emergency supplies in schools.
Mr Smith said donations to Caritas can be made by:
- Phoning 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations or
- Donating online using a credit card - click here; or
- Posting to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.
For more information contact Martin de Jong +64 4 496 1782 or +64 4 21 909 688.