Churches call for more humanitarian aid for Syria

Tuesday, March 17th, 2015

Church leaders, Caritas and Christian World Service are calling for an increase in peace efforts and humanitarian aid from the New Zealand Government and support from the New Zealand public.

Leaders of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, along with the Quakers, have addressed their members in an Open Letter encouraging them to support their agencies.

Caritas and Christian World Service are both working through local partner groups inside Syria and Iraq, as well as in neighbouring countries.

The global community needs to step up their efforts to ensure food, water and other essential supplies are distributed to the most vulnerable in the country, says Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas.

Caritas and Christian World Service partners are providing vital aid to Syrian refugees in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, including food, fuel, water, warm clothing, shelter and healthcare.

Local people are working effectively and compassionately to help Syrian and Iraqi families. They need more resources to help more people, says Pauline McKay, National Director of Christian World Service.

The Open Letter has been signed by Rt Rev. Andrew Norton of the Presbyterian Church, Archbishop Philip Richardson of the Anglican Church, Cardinal John Dew of the Roman Catholic Church, Yearly Clerk Elizabeth Duke for the Quakers, and President Tovia Aumua of the Methodist Church.

Donations to Caritas can be made on line at http://www.caritas.org.nz/donate by phone: 0800 22 10 22 or by post to: Caritas, PO Box 12193, Wellington 6144
Donations to Christian World Service can be made on line at http://cws.org.nz/donate by phone: 0800 74 73 72 or by post to: CWS, PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140.

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