About Us

ReliefAid is an international humanitarian organisation that delivers aid to families living in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones – places where others won’t or can’t go. We act fast, independently, impartially and transparently to ensure families caught in war receive the emergency aid they need to survive.

ReliefAid has offices in both Auckland, New Zealand and Montreal, Canada – you can read more about ReliefAid’s work in Canada here.

We rely solely on private donations to support families, meaning we do not receive any funding from governmental sources and are a registered charity with the New Zealand Charities Commission.

Our work includes:

  • accessing conflict affected countries including Syria, Ukraine, Gaza and Afghanistan in areas where few aid agencies are able or willing to operate
  • providing life-saving aid, such as shelter materials (blankets, tarpaulins, cooking sets and children’s clothing), food and medical supplies to families in war zones and those affected by natural disasters who otherwise wouldn’t receive any assistance
  • working directly on the ground, in the places aid is most needed and least accessible
  • supporting children in their education, providing hope for the future
  • mentoring the next generation of aid workers
  • speaking out on behalf of the men, women and children whose voices are often silenced by conflict

ReliefAid’s actions are driven by the principle of independence and impartiality. Our life-saving humanitarian action is provided on the basis of need, irrespective of religious and political beliefs, race and gender.

Why war zones?

Escalating armed conflict and an intensification of violence is an urgent threat to the world, with it being estimated that over 120 million people are currently displaced due to conflict. Innocent civilian populations overwhelmingly pay the price. Those displaced are often isolated, vulnerable, and without access to essential services for survival.

While international aid has in some cases provided relief, the needs far exceed what is currently being delivered.

ReliefAid’s Board

Mike Seawright

Founder and Executive Director

Since leaving the corporate world behind 17+ years ago, Mike Seawright has been delivering humanitarian assistance to families living in the world’s conflict zones. He has provided medical aid in Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan and Pakistan, economic development and energy projects in Afghanistan and most recently emergency humanitarian aid, leading multiple interventions in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Frustrated that not enough was being done to help families affected by war and conflict Mike founded ReliefAid. With a simple vision of helping families who had no one else to turn to, ReliefAid has delivered life-saving aid to over half a million people in war-torn Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and they are not stopping there.

While his work surrounds him in war and conflict Mike counts himself lucky to bear witness to what he calls “the very best of humanity”.  When not travelling to oversee ReliefAid’s international interventions he lives in Auckland with his family.

Read and hear Mike in the media.

Adam Clark

Adam Clark

Board Chair

Adam is one of the leading tech entrepreneurs in New Zealand. He was co-founder and CEO of mobile banking software provider M-Com which was acquired by Fiserv in 2011 and now serves over 3,000 banks around the world.

Since returning to New Zealand in 2012, Adam has participated in the establishment and growth of many of New Zealand’s most promising software companies including three further exits via acquisition, most recently [www.tradifyhq.com]Tradify which was sold to Access Group in the UK.

Adam was drawn to ReliefAid by the clear need that ReliefAid services for citizens impacted in the world’s war zones, and the great work being done by Mike and the team. Most important to Adam was the speed at which ReliefAid sets up aid in new war zones, the efficiency of the organisation and the commitment to measuring impact, always.

Joanne Hill

Board Member

Joanne is a financial and operational specialist having worked in New Zealand and abroad. She is driven to make a difference for families who, faced with war’s not of their making, have nowhere else to turn. She has daughters, Zoe and Ava and lives in Auckland.

Simon Foote KC

Board Member & Legal Advisor

Simon is a barrister practising international commercial and investment treaty arbitration and domestic commercial litigation and arbitration at Bankside Chambers, Auckland and Singapore. He is passionate about making a difference to innocent victims in dire situations as a result of war. He has two children, Charlotte and Barnaby and lives in Auckland.

 

Board Member

Anne’s background is in organisational development in the UK and NZ, in addition to projects in East Africa, Lesotho and Australia.

Horrified by seeing the impact of the war in Syria on innocent families in 2016, and determined to do something to help, she mounted a successful community fundraising campaign. Determined to make sure the funds reached those most in need and there was transparency for donors she looked for a NZ founded organisation with accountability and found ReliefAid. She subsequently took on the role as volunteer Communications Director in 2017 until stepping aside from operational responsibilities to join the board in 2024.

She lives in the Bay of Plenty with her husband where she fully embraces the joys of life at the beach.

 

Peter Cafaro

General Director of Strategic Operations and Board Liaison for ReliefAid Canada

Peter Cafaro leads ReliefAid’s Canadian operations from our Montreal office, driving North American fundraising efforts and playing a pivotal role in expanding ReliefAid’s global reach and impact.

An experienced entrepreneur and respected member of the Montreal business community, Peter has an impressive history of supporting philanthropic initiatives across Canada, South America, and Southeast Asia. In Canada, his efforts have been solely dedicated to funding clinical trials for children’s medical treatments and supporting a major neurological institute in Montreal.

Taking a hands-on approach to ReliefAid’s work, Peter oversees day-to-day operations in Canada while providing strategic oversight for our international aid deliveries. A longstanding major donor to ReliefAid, Peter’s unwavering commitment to addressing the critical humanitarian needs of families, particularly children, was solidified by the onset of the war in Ukraine. Working with our partner Tabletochki, he spearheads fundraising efforts to support children’s oncology departments in Ukrainian hospitals.

Peter’s leadership, dedication, and vision have been instrumental in ensuring life-saving aid reaches families in conflict zones when they need it most.

Want to know more? Download the ReliefAid FactSheet or Contact Us.