UPDATED: Toronto Catholics respond to Nepal Earthquake
TORONTO (April 27, 2015) – Toronto-area Catholics are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Nepal with prayer and practical aid following the catastrophic effects of a serious earthquake on April 25.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks have devastated huge areas of the country, with more than 4,000 people reported dead, thousands more injured and thousands of families displaced from their homes. As a result, the Archdiocese of Toronto is accepting financial contributions for humanitarian relief efforts through its network of parishes and its online portal at www.archtoronto.org.
Relief workers from the official Catholic relief agency on the ground, Caritas Internationalis, say the victims most need temporary shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies as relief operations gear up. So far, Caritas members have pledged $3.3 million to the relief effort as well as 10,000 shelter kits and 3,000 tarps.
Those wishing to help may do so in the following ways:
- Online through the Archdiocese of Toronto website
- By phone through the Development Office – 416-934-3411
- Through the parish, making cheques payable to:
Name of Parish – Nepal Earthquake – Humanitarian Relief
(Parishes are asked to gather funds and send one parish cheque to the Development Office, made out to Archdiocese of Toronto – Nepal Earthquake.)
We offer our prayers for the victims of this natural disaster and those who have been displaced. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to help those in crisis in Nepal.
UPDATED: Every donation to this cause received before May 25 by the Archdiocese of Toronto will be matched by the Government of Canada.
