MANILA, April 28, 2015— Caritas Philippines has joined other agencies in launching an appeal for victims of the Nepal earthquake.
Fr. Edu Gariguez, Caritas Philippines executive secretary, said a national fund-raising campaign was launched on Tuesday for all the dioceses to help support Nepal.
Also known as the National Secretariat for the Social Action, Justice and Peace (Nassa), the agency is the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
As a member of the global Caritas network of humanitarian agencies, donations received by the local agency will be channeled towards Caritas response.
Last Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal is said to be the worst in 80 years, causing significant damage and loss of life, with the death toll estimated above 4,000 and rising.
Caritas Internationalis, the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church, said that aid is already reaching affected communities as they prioritize emergency shelter, trauma counseling, food, clean water and hygiene materials.
The appeal is also being supported by Caritas Manila as it called for cash donations from “Good Samaritans” for the Church’s emergency response in Nepal.
Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, also asked for prayers for the victims of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that also struck parts of India. (CBCPNews)