Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has given NZ$6,680 to Caritas Baucau in Timor Leste, to help its recovery from post-election violence in the fledgling nation, which gained independence from Indonesia in 1999.
Caritas Baucau's offices were trashed, and its associated kindergarten burnt out, in violence which rocked parts of the country following the announcement of a new government in August. Church facilities and international non-government organisations came under particular attack.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has supported Caritas Baucau's rural health and HIV/AIDS education programme. It is one of six partner agencies in Timor Leste supported by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information contact Martin de Jong, Communication and International Advocacy Coordinator, on 04-496 1742 or 021-909 688.
All Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand media releases are available on http://www.caritas.org.nz
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
