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Missions launch two Pacific appeals

Anglican Missions has launched two Pacific appeals: the first to support communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Harold and the second to reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in Polynesia.
• Province of Melanesia activates Cyclone emergency response
 Vanuatu:1000 still waiting for Cyclone relief

Taonga News  |  16 Apr 2020  |

Anglican Mission has opened Pacific appeals this week, to support aid and relief work after Cyclone Harold and to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Tropical Cyclone Harold Appeal

Anglican Missions has launched a Vanuatu Cyclone Harold Appeal to support response and recovery efforts following the category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold. Last week the Cyclone devastated large areas of Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands (and to a lesser extent Fiji and Tonga) leading to loss of life and significant damage to houses, crops and infrastructure.

Cyclone Harold has led to 30 deaths (28 in the Solomon Islands) and caused catastrophic damage, especially in Vanuatu, where it has directly affected 160,000 people. In Vanuatu’s Sanma Province, it is estimated between 80-90 % of the population have lost their homes and 60% of schools have been damaged. Food crops have been seriously affected and water infrastructure damaged. Vanuatu is in a State of Emergency that has been extended for a further 30 days.

In Fiji and Tonga while the extent of damage following Cyclone Harold is not as great as the impact in Melanesia, the Diocese of Polynesia is already involved and demonstrating practical ways that churches can help communities in disaster response.

In Fiji, the cyclone caused widespread flooding as heavy rain and strong winds hit the country on 8 April. As of 13 April, approximately 1,800 evacuees were sheltered in 65 shelters. 

 In Tonga there is major damage to public infrastructure in coastal areas, especially to the wharves and roads around coastal sites in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai.

The Anglican Missions’ Appeal will contribute to a broader emergency response being implemented by the Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Vanuatu Council of Churches and Adventist Development and Relief Agency with the focus on Santo Espiritu and Pentecost, both islands that suffered significant damage.

Anglican Bishop of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Bishop James Tama reported that churches were already moving into response mode last week, and people on the ground in Vanuatu need help with resources to support their work.

Money raised in the Cyclone Harold Appeal will join with the efforts of the Australian Church Agencies’ Network Disaster Operations (CANDO) unit that comprises eight church-based aid and development organisations including: Caritas, the Australian Lutheran World Service, Act for Peace, Australian Anglican Board of Mission, Anglican Overseas Aid, Baptist World Aid Australia and Uniting World.

To donate to the Vanuatu -Emergency Cyclone Harold Appeal go to the Anglican Missions’ donate page and enter your desired giving total in the box beneath the Vanuatu-Emergency Cyclone Harold Appeal title.

COVID-19 Diocese of Polynesia Appeal

Although there are relatively few confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Pacific, the nations of Polynesia need support to be ready for the public health risks of the virus’ arrival.

The Diocese of Polynesia reports that many people are anxious and afraid in the face of the pandemic and do not have good information about the virus and how to protect themselves from infection.

In addition to elderly people and those with chronic health conditions, another group that is particularly at risk in the Pacific are those who are malnourished due to underlying poverty.

With the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccination 18 months away, the Diocese of Polynesia has expressed concern that it will be the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised who are at heightened risk.

The Diocese of Polynesia needs funding to enable the churches to resource remote communities with accurate information on how people can stay safe and healthy, especially in the environment of lockdowns that limit families’ access to public health advice.

Anglican Missions Appeal funding will extend the Church’s ability to communicate good health advice in outlying parishes and also enable the Diocese to place family COVID-19 response packs into the community ready to be deployed as people need them.

In this work the Diocese of Polynesia is working on a targeted COVID response, with the help of Anglican Missions and other Pacific agencies to ensure there is no duplication of effort and that church work makes sure to leverage other initiatives. 

Anglican Missions’ partners are already working hard on information campaigns and distributing handwashing and hygiene kits to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 across the Pacific.

For updated information on the two Pacific appeals, check the Anglican Missions website https://angmissions.org.nz/

To donate to the Cyclone Harold Appeal or COVID 19 Polynesia Appeal go to the Anglican Missions’ donate page and enter your desired giving amount in the box below the Appeal’s title.

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