The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Following the call of Pope Benedict the XVIth, made from the Vatican on the 19th November, Caritas Bangladesh has, so far, received pledges for over US$4 million from a number of Catholic agencies from all over the world.

In a meeting held on November 24 Archbishop has suggested Caritas to double its efforts using its experience and capacity to reach the most affected people with food and non-food items, says a press release.

Caritas, the Development Agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB), has reviewed its short-term and long-term relief and rehabilitation plan during a meeting held Saturday last at Archbishop's House, Kakrail in the presence of Archbishop Paulinus Costa, the President of the CBCB; Bishop Theotonius Gomes, CSC, the President of Caritas; Dr Benedict Alo D'Rozario, Executive Director of Caritas and Francis Atul Sarker, Development Director.

The Caritas short-term and mid-term relief and rehabilitation plan, based on the field assessment report, will include: food and non-food distribution to 51,000 families, cash for work for 9,000 families; professional rehabilitation for 4,500 families; house repair for 2,800 families; low cost house for 7,300 families and repair of 57 damaged schools.

For all of these activities Caritas planned to spend about US$9.4 million. In its long-long term plan; Caritas will also construct at least 50 cyclone shelters across the country.

Meanwhile, Caritas has received pledges from many Catholic Organisations including Caritas Italiana; Caritas Germany; Caritas Switzerland; Catholic Relief Service, USA; CORDAID - Caritas Netherlands; CAFOD - Caritas England and Wales; Caritas Australia; Caritas Austria; Caritas New Zealand; TROCAIRE - Caritas Ireland; Caritas-Poland, Caritas Spain and Caritas Luxembourg.

Through its ongoing food and non-food relief distribution programme Caritas has planned to spend over Tk 11 crore to reach 51,000 families with food and non-food items, the release added.