Bishop Peter Fox: It’s A Question of Giving.
It is eight months since the Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Service that marked the conclusion of the Asia-Tsunami Appeal. At that time we had much to give thanks for. Many Papua New Guineans had given generously to the appeal. One point eight million kina was raised by private donations. In addition various Government agencies had pledged support, bringing the total raised to five million kina. This was to provide assistance for the many victims of the Tsunami. Our help was urgently needed. Papua New Guineans responded immediately.
Eight months ago, we could all take pride in the way PNG had tried to do its part in sending help to those in need. We had received help when we were in trouble, now we could give something back. We knew, after experiencing our own tsunami at Aitape, just how important it was for financial help to reach survivors quickly and so we tried to do our part straight away.
I wonder what happened to that five million kina. Did it reach the Tsunami survivors safely? Were those who had lost their homes or loved ones helped by the gifts we had given? How many countries received our help? Do we have any information at all about how the money was used?
Wouldn’t it be disappointing if we discovered that the money we raised and gave for relief of Tsunami Victims was still sitting in a bank account somewhere in Papua New Guinea? Wouldn’t we be upset if we were told that the promised five million was never sent to the Tsunami Victims at all?
Please, please tell me that all the work we did was not wasted. Tell me the rumours are not true. Is it true that the one point eight million kina we collected and gave still has not been sent? Is it true that the other money promised in pledges by various Government authorities was never actually paid?
Eight months later and many people are suffering as a result of the Tsunami. We wanted to help them eight months ago. Did we?
+Peter Fox.
Bishop of Port Moresby.
