Julie Bishop address to Council 2010
Australian NGOs send relief to Asia and the Pacific
7/09
2 October 2009
Australian NGOs send relief to Asia and the Pacific
Currently, twelve Australian aid and development agencies have launched appeals and will be assisting in providing household kits, water, temporary shelter and food to the communities affected by the various natural disasters that have struck Asia and the Pacific in past days.
'People across Asia and the Pacific are in need of relief and assistance,' said Mr Marc Purcell, Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the peak body for Australian aid and development agencies.
'The best and most appropriate way of helping the affected communities overseas is through a cash donation to a relief or development organisation. In this way, funds can be allocated immediately according to need: to purchase goods locally, support leaders and communities, or provide life saving relief such as medicine or food,' he said.
'ACFID has been overwhelmed by the number of enquiries and offers of assistance from the Australian and Samoan/Australian communities,' said Mr Purcell.
He continued: 'At this early stage however, the focus is on the immediate consequences of the disasters, working closely with the local communities. ACFID members are working with local partners and using their well-established links within affected communities to ensure a rapid process of recovery.'
In Sumatra, Indonesia the rising death toll and aftershocks require a high recovery effort. An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific affecting Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa. Tropical Storm Ketsana, which struck the Philippines late last week, has left 500,000 people displaced. Recent fierce storms across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos have left a trail of destruction and damage.
ACFID congratulates the Australian Government on its prompt response to the multiple emergencies and looks forward to continued cooperation between the government and NGO sector.
NOTE: please see next page for details on all 12 Australian NGO with appeals for one or more of the disasters. In addition, the Samoan Council Sydney, has launched an appeal for help for their families and friends in Samoa.
NOTE: please visit www.acfid.asn.au for updated information on appeals and other details
Contact: Marc Purcell on 0450 961 561
Appeals in response to the current disasters in region (2 Oct)
Act for Peace - NCCA
Phone: 1800 025 101
Adventist Development and Relief Agency
Phone: 1800 242 372
Australian Red Cross
Phone: 1800 811 700
Australian Relief and Mercy Services
Phone: +61 3 9888 4537
CARE Australia
Phone: 1800 020 046
Caritas Australia
Phone: 1800 024 413
Opportunity International Australia
Phone: 1800 812 164
Oxfam Australia
Phone: 1800 088 110
Plan International Australia
Phone: 13 7526
Save the Children Australia
Phone: 1800 760 011
Uniting World
Phone: +61 2 8267 4267
World Vision Australia
Phone: 13 32 40
Samoan Council Sydney
Phone: Freddy Sooalo 0437 990 325
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