Most Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand partnerships were maintained in 2010 , despite a difficult financial year.
The Catholic aid and development agency, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand released its Annual Report this week. Director Mike Smith said it was extremely gratifying to have strong donor support during a recession, and in a year where government funding changes meant Caritas’ income from government sources fell from $2.6 million (in 2009) to $350,000. This was partly because of an economic development focus in the new government funding framework, and partly because of delays in implementation.
‘Public support was especially evident in the response to appeals for the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods,’ said Mr Smith. ‘However, unspecified donations and bequests – available for use across all Caritas’ activity – were also up by 24 percent from the previous year.
‘In 2010, Caritas was able to support 34 development programmes across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and responded to 17 emergencies across the globe. Locally, we helped establish and support the Alternative Welfare Working Group; while our education programme produced the excellent video Without Rain – looking at climate change through the eyes of our Nepal partners, and promoting action on the issue.
Photo Credit
scoop.co.nz