On April 5 and 6 East Timor was hit by the most severe flooding the country had experienced in over 50 years. Many homes flooded or destroyed by landslides and the ACBM provided support to some of our brothers and sisters whose homes had been flooded or damaged.
The floods were so serious that the local authorities were overwhelmed and in the days after the flood were unable to help many of those in need. After distributing some assistance to those in need in the ecclesia one family returned home to find hundreds of people in their neighbourhood with nothing to eat.
The family approached the Tasmanian ACBM Committee for assistance and a private appeal was started with all funds collected being sent directly to the brothers and sisters in East Timor to help them assist with the needs in their local communities.
As a result of the appeal approximately $20,000 has been raised and over the first few days of the crisis this allowed the brothers and sisters to cook over 700 meals for those in need and provide clean water and other essentials. They are now looking at using the remaining money to help with longer term needs such as clothing and bedding. The brothers and sisters in Dili and those who have received assistance have asked that their thanks be passed on to all who have donated.
