Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s chief, Julianne Hickey has been in Rome recently and was in meetings preparing for Pope Francis’ new encyclical Laudato Si’. She was able to give an input from the Pacific perspective where oceans are so important for the sustaining of life. Hickey was able to speak of what is happening to Read more
St Joseph’s Primary School in Fairlie may be small in size, but the school of 45 students has shown they are big of heart by raising $12,352.57 for Caritas’ ongoing emergency relief work in Nepal. Year 6 student Ben Pawsey came up with the idea of an art auction to raise money for Nepal because Read more
It’s time for New Zealand to take charge and be a leader in climate change negotiations, says Caritas in a submission on the Government’s climate change target. In its submission, the Catholic agency for justice, peace and development said the Government’s consultation document “too narrowly sees our climate change contribution as a financial cost to Read more
As media events, humanitarian crises come and go. The spotlight is no longer shining brightly on Nepal but the human suffering continues. Rain has already begun to fall and will intensify as the monsoon season begins, bringing landslides and disease to many already desperate communities. “We are shaken but not beaten; we shall rise as Read more
As Caritas’ emergency response in Nepal moves into its second week and reaches ever more remote villages, initial Government estimates are that up to 500,000 houses may have been destroyed across the country – making shelter a top priority before the torrential monsoon rains arrive in a few short weeks. Thousands of much-needed tarpaulins and Read more
His bags aren’t even unpacked and Miramar man Mark Mitchell is already eyeing the next disaster zone. Mitchell is a humanitarian programme coordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. He has just returned from Vanuatu. He arrived there just three days after Cyclone Pam hit. Now, though dates had not yet been confirmed, he will soon Read more
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is appealing for donations to provide humanitarian relief to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. Caritas responded rapidly to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that happened on Saturday. It was centered 10 miles below the surface, less than 50 miles from the capital of Kathmandu. Assessments are coming in and Caritas Read more
Caritas’ SINGout4JUSTICE annual school song writing competition for Years 7-13 students will be judged by a panel that includes Laura Collins, a Wellington singer/songwriter who performed at the Vatican earlier this year. Ms Collins performed at the Voices of Faith women’s storytelling event in Rome last month, singing a ballad written by fellow Kiwi musician Steve Read more
What struck me most about the situation was the resilience of the people”, says Mark Mitchell. Mitchell is the Humanitarian Programmes Coordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. “Despite all they have gone through they are simply getting on with the business of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.” Mitchell has been in Vanuatu, as part of Read more
Food and water as well as shelter are a major concern for the people of Vanuatu. Residents on the outer island of Enae say they will run out of food and water in a week and desperately need help. Health worker Donald Kalsong said some supplies have reached Enae, but not enough. He said only Read more