ReliefAid Canada

About ReliefAid

ReliefAid is a New Zealand founded charity specialising in delivering emergency humanitarian aid to families in conflict zones. Our headquarters in Canada are based in Montreal. We are currently delivering aid to families on the ground in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan. Founded in late 2014 by New Zealander, Mike Seawright, ‘aid that cannot wait’ captures our DNA; we do whatever it takes to get aid to those who others cannot, or will not, reach.

Aid Distributions

ReliefAid Canada provides lifesaving aid to families in need living in conflict zones. Through our dedicated team and generous supporters, we have been able to:

Distribute emergency relief supplies to conflict zones and disaster-affected areas.

Provide food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to displaced families.

Support education initiatives and rebuild community and housing infrastructure.

Our efforts have reached thousands of individuals and families, offering hope and support in their time of greatest need.

You can find out more about our aid distributions in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan on our New Zealand website here.

Governance

General Director of Strategic Affairs and Governance for ReliefAid Canada

Peter Cafaro

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.

Board Members

Anton Frima

As a trained civil engineer, Anton started his humanitarian career with Doctors without Borders (MSF) in 2007. In charge of operational logistics both in Somalia and Pakistan, Anton worked side by side with ReliefAid’s founder Mike Seawright in supporting medical emergency programmes.

Since then, Anton has remained active in the humanitarian field as a Human Resources specialist both in Amsterdam and Montreal.

Having moved to Canada in 2016, Anton became an engaged fundraiser and ambassador for ReliefAid and has run several ultra marathons to raise funds and awareness of ReliefAid in Canada. He introduced ReliefAid to the Quebec based Bromont Ultra running event, a partnership that is still very much active today.

Mike Seawright

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 300,000 people in war-torn Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, and they are not stopping there.

Read and hear Mike in the media.

Support from Cafaro Group

The ReliefAid representative office in Canada has been generously provided pro-bono by our supporter, the Cafaro Group. This invaluable support has enabled us to operate efficiently and focus our resources on delivering aid.

How to Donate

Supporting ReliefAid is easy. You can donate via Stripe using the button below or you can support us by making a transfer to our bank account using the details below.

Your contributions are vital in helping us continue our work and make a difference in the lives of those affected by conflict and disaster.

Donate Now

Alternatively, please contact us to make a donation through other channels.

ReliefAid involvement in Canada

ReliefAid Canada is actively involved in several events and initiatives, including:

Bromont Ultra
Supporting marathons and ultra-marathons to raise funds for our projects.

Ukraine Marathon

On 1 September 2024, Bromont Ultra ambassador, actress, and ultramarathoner Anne-Lise Nadeau completed a marathon in Irpin to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and to support ReliefAid’s efforts to rebuild homes in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Nikopol.

Canadian supporters:

The Birks Family Foundation