Archbishop Peter has a passionate concern for the environment and speaks out strongly on behalf of his region’s indigenous peoples and the balance of ecology that sustains them.
Address: CCJD, Secretariat, P.O. Box 12334, Suva, Pacific Islands
Telephone: +679 33 02 296 Fax: +679 33 04 036
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Caritas Pacific Islands, which is known as the CEPAC – Commission for Justice and Development was established in 1980 by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Pacific with the aim of promoting justice and development in the various dioceses in the Pacific Islands.
Caritas Pacific Islands is active in programmes addressing peacekeeping and peacebuilding, poverty alleviation, social development, protecting human rights and social justice education.
Caritas Pacific Islands is among the first agencies to deploy emergency aid following natural disasters. In 2009, after torrential rain caused massive flooding washing away homes and bridges in the Pacific Islands, Caritas targeted vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and women to ensure they have access to food, clean water and household relief kits.
In particular, Caritas Pacific Islands promotes respect for the rights and dignity of all people and aims to develop a high-profile role in social justice and development issues.
Caritas Pacific Islands secretariat is based in Suva has a staff of 10 employees and 50 volunteers. The secretariat serves the 16 archdioceses, covering 19 island states and territories in the Pacific.
Caritas Pacific Islands became a member of Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Oceania in 1983.
Updates from Pacific Islands
Coastal communities in Oceania are being forced from their homes by rising sea levels and erosion in a situation assessed as severe, says a new report from Caritas.
Scenes of devastation and of life continuing on Viti Levu Island, Fiji following Cyclone Winston where Caritas is partnering with the Archdiocese of Suva to deliver aid.
The impact of Cyclone Winston on Fiji has been severe as the Pacific nation was lashed with very destructive hurricane force winds Saturday gusting to 300 kmph. The storm had earlier hit Tonga, where Caritas is now delivering aid.
Global temperatures averaging almost 1oC above normal. For people in some parts of the world, this might still seem like a technical measurement, or a future concern. For us in Oceania, it is rapidly becoming a matter of life or death.
Groups of locals have taken to the streets of Port Vila, Vanuatu to help clean up the neighbourhoods hardest hit by Cyclone Pam as part of Caritas relief efforts.
More than half the population of Vanuatu is homeless following Cyclone Pam. Caritas will provide temporary shelter with the arrival in Port Vila of 2000 tarpaulins in the next few days.
Caritas Australia and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand are leading the Caritas Internationalis response in Vanuatu with the Catholic Church after the Pacific island nation was devastated by Cyclone Pam.
Up to 90 percent of buildings on one of Vanuatu main islands have been destroyed or damaged as aid workers rush to help survivors of Cyclone Pam. Caritas has sent emergency staff to Vanuatu to link up with local church structures.