In July last year, the West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office (WACMRO) urgently requested parishes to donate financially towards the Ukrainian Displaced Persons Local Appeal.
The purpose of the Appeal was to provide emergency relief to newly arrived Ukrainian nationals seeking asylum in Perth.
“Part of the genius of the Catholic parish is its ability, when needed, to respond in a rapid manner to current social realities,” said WACMRO Director, Deacon Greg Lowe.
“This is something that can’t always be done by other social outreach structures.
“I say thank you to everyone who donated to the local appeal,” he said.
Deacon Greg explained that majority of the funds were used to assist 28 newly arrived families through provision of vouchers for much-needed food and clothing.
The outstanding amount raised will be spent on trauma counselling which will inevitably emerge as a need this year.
WACMRO partnered with the St Vincent de Paul Society, who also made a significant financial contribution, to send pre-bought e-vouchers to the mobile phone of recipients in a timely manner so they could immediately purchase material items according to their needs and preferences.
Dcn Greg observed that many of the women and children had now been linked into support networks.
“Let us continue to support and pray for the displaced who, through no fault of their own have been uprooted against their wills,” Deacon Greg explained.
“They have found themselves halfway across the world as strangers in a foreign land having to endure separation from their husbands, older teenage sons and fathers,” he concluded.