Six months ago, the West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office (WACMRO) sent out an invitation to the Catholic community inviting parishioners to make a financial donation towards the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Local Appeal.
The purpose of the Appeal was to provide emergency relief to newly arrived Ukrainian nationals in Perth.
The Appeal demonstrated that the local Catholic community was willing and able to do two things:
“Part of the genius of the Catholic parish is that it can do both these things and do them well,’ said WACMRO Director, Deacon Greg Lowe.
“The generosity from the parishes in these difficult economic times has been staggering. We raised over $8,000 which has now been spent,” he said.
“Donations came from parishes, individual parishioners, anonymous donors and parish schools. I want to say thank you to everyone who contributed.”
Deacon Greg continued by explaining that in partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society, who also made a significant financial contribution, WACMRO assisted 28 newly arrived families, mainly mothers and children.
Over a period of four-months, multiple electronic vouchers were sent to the mobile phones of Ukrainian asylees in a timely manner for the immediate purchase of much-needed food and clothing.
Dcn Greg observed that many of the women and children had now been linked into the support networks but assistance for the displaced Ukrainian community was still needed.
“Let us continue to support and pray for these people who through no fault of their own, have found themselves halfway across the world as strangers in a foreign land,” Deacon Greg said.
“At least they are safe and, importantly, they have been welcomed,” he concluded.