Emergencies

Saving lives, reducing suffering, maintaining dignity

Photo: Salacion Pacatang/CRS

Caritas responds to emergencies around the world. We aim to save lives, reduce suffering, and maintain human dignity as we show our solidarity and shared humanity with those who suffer, and meet their basic needs – regardless of ethnicity, religion or nationality.

In emergencies, we respond to needs and requests of our development partners and through the Caritas Internationalis confederation. This consists of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies working in more than 200 countries and teritories. Wherever a disaster occurs, one of our partners will be there, coordinating local people and supplies to provide an effective and efficient response.

Do not collect and send goods

Please DO NOT organise collection and donation of goods following a disaster. Receiving goods that are not needed or inappropriate for the local context can hinder rather than help humanitarian operations. Aid organisations such as the Caritas network are geared up to provide emergency bulk supplies quickly. Wherever possible and viable, supplies are also sourced locally to support local businesses and rebuilding economies.

A cash donation to a recognised appeal is the best way to support disaster relief – to help agencies buy whatever is needed most. Visit the New Zealand NGO Disaster Relief Forum for more details.

Emergencies

Michael – a Caritas Samoa volunteer with Fuatamu who's house was badly damaged by Cyclone Evan.

Pacific cyclone

Cyclone Evan hit the Pacific in December 2012 causing widespread destruction. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has been working with partners at Caritas Samoa to help provide food and shelter for those who have been displaced and had major damage to their homes.

CRS distribute hygiene kits, sleeping mats, water cans and buckets, they also provide hygiene and water treatment training.

Philippines suffer typhoon damage

Typhoon Bopha hit the Philippines on 4 December 2012 with winds of 250 kph winds. More than 1,800 people werereported dead or, missing mostly in the eastern provinces of Mindanao that sustained the heaviest damage.

St Anne's Catholic school, Christchurch.

Christchurch quake

Caritas maintains a long-term commitment to supporting vulnerable people and community recovery after the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010-11.

Syria crisis

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is supporting Caritas in Lebanon as that nation struggles to shelter, feed and support more than 1.2 million refugees fleeing the war in Syria.

A project in the village area of Karma 60 km west of Niamey, Niger pays people in grain to dig half moons to harvest rain water.

Sahel food crisis

In the Sahel region in West Africa, about 19 million people faced severe food shortages after a failed harvest in 2012.

A woman who belongs to a women's farming collective.

Horn of Africa crisis

In 2011 the Horn of Africa had the worst drought in 60 years. Donor support from New Zealand, including the New Zealand government, contributed more than $560,000 to a multi-million dollar international Caritas response to the crisis.

Caritas Jerusalem's team in Gaza carry out home visits following the 2012 military action.

Gaza conflict

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand supported Caritas Jerusalem to help those in need in Gaza following Israeli attacks in November 2012 that killed or injured many people.