Christchurch City Council supports collection for Vanuatu

Residents who want to donate to the appeal to help the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu can do so at www.redcross.org.nz/donate/pacific-disaster-fund or one of the other recognised aid agency websites. Cyclone Pam has caused devastation in Vanuatu and other pacific neighbours including the Chatham Islands.

Christchurch City Council Deputy Mayor, Vicki Buck, says that Cantabrians know what its like to be devastated by a natural disaster and remember what it is like not knowing if family members are safe.

“Naturally our thoughts go out to the people of Vanuatu and their neighbours in this very difficult time. While the death toll is not yet known, they have lost the basic necessities of life and urgently need aid for food, water and shelter.

“People living here in New Zealand with family and loved-ones back in the islands are also in our thoughts,” Ms Buck says.

A state of disaster has also been declared in the Chatham Islands and people have been evacuated from coastal areas of Gisborne.

The New Zealand Government has already pledged NZ$2.5 million in aid and is providing on the ground assistance as well.

The Council’s website has information about the relief effort in Vanuatu and its neighbours at: www.ccc.govt.nz/homeliving/civildefence/internationalrelief

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