Before, during and after disasters strike — Caritas Australia is there. We are committed to rebuilding and restoring hope, lives and livelihoods in the long-term.
Citizens helping eachother escape floods
from Typhoon Ondoy, Philippines
Your help is urgently needed
With the spread of Typhoon Ketsana across the Asia Pacific severely
affecting the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia; a tsunami in the
Pacific devastating communities in Samoa and Tonga; massive flooding in
India; landslides in Nepal; and the earthquake in Indonesia
centering on Padang in Sumatra, people across our region are in
desperate need. Caritas Australia is delivering assistance which
will reach more than 277,000 people.
Caritas Australia's CEO, Jack de Groot, says the organisation has
pledged AUD$250,000 for the initial response to all these Communities in
Crisis, but more public funds are needed to assist those
devastated by the disasters. A further $2.5million has
been raised from public donations so far.
"The needs are tremendous and further contributions to the appeal
will enable us to reach more victims, and help communities through these
terrible first weeks to rebuild and recover”, said Jack De
Groot.
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.
How we're helping
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.
Caritas Australia is responding to all these crises with people on the
ground in each country delivering life-saving assistance, such as
temporary shelter, food, access to clean water and medical
supplies. Once immediate needs are met Caritas will focus on the
long-term rehabilitation of the affected populations.
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 support the Caritas Australia Communities in Crisis – Asia
Pacific Appeal by calling 1800 024 413 or make a donation online.
You can help
You can help these people in our neighbourhood by giving generously
to the Caritas Australia Communities in
Crisis — Asia Pacific Appeal, donate
online now or phone 1800 024 413 (tollfree).
Learn more
Read details of each of the crises and how Caritas is responding in
each of the affected countries. You can donate to a specific
emergency appeal from each of these pages. To support people affected by
the floods in India and the landslides in Nepal, donate to
the Communities in Crisis Appeal.
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.
