CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 November 2013

New Zealander heads international team responding to Philippines Typhoon

Mark Mitchell, a New Zealand emergency response expert, is leading the international Caritas relief team which has been brought together to support Caritas Philippines. This is in response to the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan. Mark leads the humanitarian work programme of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mark Mitchell has worked in emergencies in Kosovo, Africa and Christchurch. Arriving in Manila later this afternoon, Mark will head up a five member International Emergency Response and Support Team based at Cebu. The team will coordinate the international Caritas relief effort assisting NASSA/Caritas Philippines after the disaster that has displaced around 700,000 people and directly affected more than 11 million people.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand launched an appeal for the Philippines on Monday this week.

A Caritas team has recently visited some of the worst hit areas in and around Tacloban and Ormoc. Team member Eoghan Rice said, ‘There are parts of Tacloban where 90 percent of the buildings have been destroyed. The conditions people face are extraordinary.’

Caritas Philippines has been able to transport food, water and blankets to the Tacloban and Ormoc areas through its local networks. Additional aid is on the way with a combined 36,720 food packs to be delivered to Tacloban and Ormoc.

Read eye witness accounts here.

The Caritas network – comprising 165 Catholic development, relief and social justice agencies worldwide – has already pledged $2.5 million in aid. New Zealanders have contributed $70,000 so far to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, with much more expected as New Zealanders turn to prayer, fundraising and practical support for the Philippines in the largest emergency it has had to face in recent times.

Donations to the Caritas Philippines Appeal can be made by:

• Phoning 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations;

• Phoning 0900 4 11 11 to make an automatic $20 donation from your phone bill;

• Donating online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz; or

• Posting to Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144, New Zealand.

Updates on the Caritas response are available at http://www.caritas.org.nz/philippines-typhoon and Facebook and Twitter.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.

ENDS

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