Red Cross Commission Tours Christchurch Two Weeks On

New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission members travelled through Christchurch's eastern suburbs today talking to residents and assessing the needs of communities two weeks on from the February 22 quake.

The group toured through New Brighton, Bexley, Aranui, Wainoni and Bromley in a bid to better understand the current needs in some of Christchurch's most damaged communities.

Chair of the independent Commission Sir John Hansen said the tour was intended to assist Commission members to make informed decisions about future disbursements of monies raised through the 2011 Earthquake Appeal.

"We know that the situation for communities across Christchurch continues to be very difficult,' Sir John said.

"Today allows us to better understand some of these difficulties and to identify areas of particularly high need so that the Commission's future decisions best reflect the priorities of the community," he said.

"The feedback received today reiterated that many people are doing it tough without basic services we all take for granted and there is understandably still some uncertainty as to when services will be resumed.

"There was also a lot of really positive sentiment and it was great to observe strong community spirit and support networks."

Grants released to date include an Emergency and Hardship Grant and a Bereavement Grant.

1. Emergency & Hardship Grant
Eligibility: People living in their homes without power or water or sewerage, or people forced to leave their home because of damage or because they have no water or power or sewerage.

* Emergency & Hardship Grant: $500 for single people (per household)
* Emergency & Hardship Grant: $1,000 for couples, families and flats of more than one person (per household)

2. Bereavement Grant

* Bereavement Grant: $10,000 for the next of kin of confirmed deceased.

People from overseas affected by the earthquake are eligible to apply for these grants.

How to Apply:

* Forms online at www.redcross.org.nz.
* By picking up an application form from a Red Cross service centre anywhere in New Zealand, WINZ and Ministry of Social Development service centres and recovery assistance centres located across Christchurch.

Enquiries
For any questions on the emergency grants, please call the dedicated helpline on 0800 754 726

Grants will be electronically transferred into each recipient's bank account once approved.

Appeal
To date, more than $19.2 million has been raised through the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal.

All funds from the appeal will be used towards the New Zealand Red Cross response to the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake to assist people and communities affected. No deductions for administration costs or staff salaries will be made.

Money will be used in a range of ways including the provision of goods, cash grants and other support.

People in New Zealand can donate to the appeal via www.redcross.org.nz, by texting a message of hope to 4419 to donate $3, or making a credit card donation of any amount by calling 0800 272 006

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