Staff Reporter
Auckland, September 26, 2020
Fundraising helps to offer relief in times of disasterAs a part its Silver Jubilee celebrations worldwide, Humanity First has launched a ‘Soup Kitchen’ in New Zealand to mobilise financial resources to fund its community welfare projects.
The Organisation, which operates in 58 countries across the Continents, was established in New Zealand in 2007.
Humanity First New Zealand Chairman Yunus Hanif said that since then, the Organisation has provided disaster relief to the most vulnerable people in New Zealand and in Pacific Island communities in times of need.
Disaster relief everywhere
“While continuing to do this, our focus over the next few years will be to grow our initiatives under the Humanity First Food Security Programme, such as setting up a soup kitchen to deliver meals and food packs to people at most risk. Due to the ongoing and uncertain economic impacts Covid-19 has brought about, it is important that we focus on communities in low socio-economic areas that have been affected the most,” he said.
Mr Hanif said that among the key projects this year are Covid-19 relief aid providing PPE gear to hospitals, organising blood drives, running rigorous awareness campaigns and providing meals and food ration packs to those who have lost their livelihood.
Key activities in New Zealand
Humanity First New Zealand has, over the past 13 years raised funds for disaster relief projects including Christchurch Earthquake appeal, Pike River mine disaster appeal, Samoan Tsunami relief, floods in Fiji and Pakistan and assisted with resettlement of refugees in New Zealand and providing emergency supplies to families in need.
“We have also provided breakfast supplies to schoolchildren in low socio economic areas, organised food drives to collect, pack and deliver dry rations to families in low socio economic areas through local social service trusts and provided grants to other charities such as Auckland City Mission who provide assistance for desperate Aucklanders in need,” Mr Hanif said.
The Organisation has partnered with Fair Foods New Zealand and delivered more than 1200 boxes of fruits and vegetables in low socio-economic areas of South and West Auckland, he added.
Vision of the future
Over the next five years, Humanity First aspires to continue and grow initiatives in the Disaster Relief and Food Security programmes.
Mr Hanif described the Organisation’s work over the past 25 years as a ‘humbling experience.’
“Humanity First has, from a modest beginning, become one of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations. Our focus has always been to use our expertise and knowledge to help and support those in need, wherever they are in the world. That remains as true today as it was 25 years ago. We are here to serve mankind, to provide opportunities for human development, empowerment for all and respect for all human rights,” he said.
