PANAJI
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and Caritas Goa have provided significant aid for the internally displaced persons in 300 different camps as well as for relief and short-and-long term rehabilitation initiatives in Manipur.
In a press note, Caritas Goa Director Fr Maverick Fernandes said the Church in Goa as always rendered its compassionate heart to the suffering people in Manipur.
“Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao immediately contacted the Archbishop of Imphal, Domnic Lumon, to assure the support of the Archdiocese of Goa. Cardinal Ferrao issued a circular with an appeal to support the suffering people of Manipur,” said Fr Fernandes.
“However, before any collections could be received from generous donors, as our immediate response, the Archdiocese of Goa and Caritas Goa sent Rs 20 lakh to the Archdiocese of Imphal for the relief of the internally displaced persons in the three hundred different camps.”
“In our constant interaction with the management of Caritas India, we were apprised of the large-scale relief interventions. Strategically, we were advised to organise only monetary assistance, as logistical costs of transporting relief materials would be enormous and unnecessary as the same was procured from closer districts and with lesser requirements of permissions.”
Subsequently, in response to the appeal from Cardinal Ferrao, Fr Fernandes said people contributed generously through the parishes and individually towards the Manipur aid.
“The Archdiocese received contributions from the faithful and well-wishers and dispatched Rs 45 lakh to the Archdiocese of Imphal and Cartias Goa sent Rs 41 lakh to Caritas India for relief and short-and-long term rehabilitation initiatives in Manipur.”
“It is encouraging to note that the contributions from the people are continuing to flow to Caritas Goa and the Archdiocese, which we shall continue to send for respective assistance in Manipur.”
CARITAS INDIA
Fr Fernandes said Caritas India was the first to be on ground zero in Manipur to provide immediate relief through the provision of Food kits, Shelter-NFI kits and Dignity kits for hygiene and personal well-being of women and adolescent girls through its partner organisations in Imphal and Silchar, to the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the relief camps, despite the blockades.
“The main focus of this intervention was to assist the population residing in camps, including both the Meitei and Kuki communities to ensure that individuals directly impacted by the violence, irrespective of their ethnic background, receive the required assistance.
“In addition, protection concerns were addressed in Manipur and Mizoram through medical camps, health referrals and distribution of special food kits meeting the needs of vulnerable population.”
“Caritas India along with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) offered USD 20,000 to ZEP Aizawl for humanitarian aid in Manipur. Besides, along with Sphere India, Caritas India was deeply involved in the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment (JRNA) through data collection and report writing.”
“Caritas India has ensured the protection principles of Safety, Access and Dignity are upheld in prioritizing the vulnerable groups among the IDPs, such as women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities, recognizing their specific needs and vulnerabilities,’ said Fr Fernandes.
Fr Fernandes said Caritas India will engage for a long-term intervention through dialogue for a dignified and safe ecosystem of co-existence through inter community peace initiatives.
“Caritas India will staunchly promote livelihood options for affected families of both the communities, will support the psycho-social and trauma counselling of the victims of conflict, will support education of children of affected families, will initiate peace clubs in different villages and work closely with the government and different faith and local civil society groups towards bringing peace and harmony,” he added.
