Citizens helping eachother escape floods
from Typhoon Ondoy, Philippines
A Caritas volunteer hands
out tapaulins which are being used as temporary shelters from the
tropical rains, Palak Juha. James Alcock/ Caritas
Australia
Alius and his mother are
thankful for the shelter provided by Caritas but have lost
everything.James Alcock/
Caritas Australia
In the remote triangle that exists between Palau, the Northern
Mariana Islands and the Philippines, a vicious series of events were
triggered on 23 September, that although related only in the devastation
they caused, over the next two weeks would transform the region in the
most brutal way.
The unprecedented extent of natural disasters that swept across
Australia’s backyard in late September and early October, saw
Caritas Australia and our local partners called on to deliver immediate
life giving assistance.
Caritas Australia’s response across the Asia Pacific includes:
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.
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 flood
affected areas.
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.
Nepal
Following flash floods and consequent landslides, Caritas is
assisting 9850 people with food, household items and livelihood
generation activities.
You can help
Before, during and after the crises Caritas Australia and our local
partners are making a real difference for these communities and we are
committed to rebuilding and restoring hope, lives and
livelihoods in the long-term. You can help Caritas Australia
continue its long-term work with these Communities in
Crisis by donating to Project
Compassion, donate online
now or phone 1800 024 413 (tollfree).
"When the typhoon hit, I searched the internet for organisations
that were supporting the people and particularly in the Philippines I
thought a catholic charity would be best. With all the natural disasters
moving quite quickly away from the media it was great to see that
someone hadn’t forgotten them and that’s why I chose Caritas
to donate to." Chris Harvey from Melbourne. Discover
other reasons that people choose to support Caritas.
A small number of the personal tales that so often get forgotten when
these tragedies occur.
Earthquake leaves poor communities with nothing
Watch a first-hand account of one mother's experience of the
earthquake in Padang, Indonesia and how Caritas has helped begin
rehabilitation for her family in the aftermath of the disaster.
Media releases
9
October 2009: Further quakes greet National Funeral as relief effort
continues
8
October 2009: Caritas responds in South Asia as rain triggers
landslides in Nepal
7
October 2009: Caritas prepares for new disaster front in Asia
Pacific with Indian floods
7
October 2009: Caritas delivers aid to forgotten villages in
Sumatra
3
October 2009: Samoa: threat of disease grows as Caritas continues to
deliver aid
3
October 2009: Sumatra Earthquake: Situation desperate outside Padang
city
2
October 2009: Caritas launches Communities in
Crisis — Asia Pacific Appeal with
$250K — pleas for more support
Out of respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, Caritas Australia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which all of its offices within Australia are located.
