WelCom April 2023
The Catholic Church launched two relief appeals in February for donations to support those who have suffered damage in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
To date the National Cyclone Appeal, organised by the Diocese of Auckland through its Catholic Caring Foundation, has raised $226,000. The funds are being distributed to the dioceses of Palmerston North and Hamilton, through which their agencies and networks have identified the areas of greatest need. Both dioceses are finding the recovery will be a long and painful one for so many in their dioceses.
Some of the initial funds have already been distributed to help with the immediate relief efforts of both dioceses. Funds will be released for the second phase of the cyclone recovery in coming weeks.
The Auckland flood appeal set up separately in January after Cyclone Hale, has closed. It raised $339,094.
Palmerston North Diocese
The Palmerston North Diocese, which includes the flood-stricken areas of Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa, launched a Cyclone Relief Appeal through its Catholic Charities Foundation.
‘Funds raised to date for this appeal are just over $150,000 with grateful support from the Auckland and Dunedin dioceses,’ says Palmerston North diocese’s general manager Liam Greer.
‘Immediate financial assistance has been provided to ten groups comprising schools and partner agencies. The predominant use of the funds is for pastoral care, supporting our students, staff and whānau to get themselves back on their feet and cope with the after effects of the impact of the cyclone. And to promote mental well health and help prevent the development of mental health problems.
‘The diocese is in discussion with faith communities about how the funds can further support long-term rehabilitation,’ he says. ‘The duration of the appeal is being reviewed with a decision to be made this month as to the future needs of the communities.
‘There has been overwhelming gratitude from the school communities with the immediate support of students, staff and whanau,’ Liam Greer said.
‘The response has been awe-inspiring. Many people made donations and some were very generous. This included the initial food appeal, which we estimated to be around five tonnes of food transported to Hawke’s Bay to help address immediate food and essential supplies shortages.’
The appeals are still open as both diocesan teams continue to assess the depth of need.
CYCLONE RELIEF APPEALS
National Appeal – you can donate online at:
https://caringfoundation.org.nz/donate-3/ or online to the Catholic Caring Foundation’s bank account: BNZ 02-0100-0242648-00
Please use your surname and initials as reference, and Cyclone as a particular. To receive an emailed receipt please email: info@caringfoundation.org.nz
Palmerston North Diocese Cyclone Relief Appeal – to donate, payments can be made online to the Catholic Charities Foundation by direct bank transfer.
Bank Account: 02-0630-0237950-010
References: ‘Cyclone’ and ‘your surname and initials’.
To receive an emailed receipt please email: reception@pndiocese.org.nz