New Zealand Red Cross In Samoa

Two New Zealand Red Cross humanitarian aid workers and Red Cross disaster response supplies (tarpaulins, water containers and first aid supplies) are due to arrive in Samoa this morning on the New Zealand Defence Force C130 Hercules.

Douglas Clark, a disaster assessment specialist and Rosemarie North, a communications and media specialist, will assist the Samoan Red Cross with their disaster response and recovery plans.

One more Red Cross humanitarian aid worker, Dean Manderson, a logistics specialist, as well as further disaster response supplies (50 family tents, 1000 blankets and 500 kitchen sets) is scheduled to fly to Samoa this afternoon on a commercial flight.

Douglas, Rosemarie and Dean, along with a number of other international Red Cross staff will form a Red Cross Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT). Their primary responsibility, working with the Samoan Red Cross, will be to conduct a thorough needs assessment of the disaster situation. Douglas will lead the FACT.

The information they collect will be provided to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies who will then mobilise additional international Red Cross support.

New Zealand Red Cross has launched the Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami appeal to assist the disaster and recovery response. Donations can be made by:

* Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz

* Sending cheques (made payable to New Zealand Red Cross), to the Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, Red Cross House, P O Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144

* Calling 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation

* Making a donation at any New Zealand Red Cross office throughout the country

New Zealand Red Cross guarantees that 100 percent of all donations will go directly to the appeal.

Donations from New Zealanders have already raised the appeal fund to over $46,000.

New Zealand Red Cross has made a funding allocation of $10,000 to the appeal. A number of corporate organisations have been in touch with New Zealand Red Cross to establish ways they can assist financially too.

New Zealand Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations.

Kind hearted people have been contacting New Zealand Red Cross with many different offers of assistance for those affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Offers of clothing (new or used), goods of any kind or offers of voluntary assistance are not immediately helpful in this
disaster situation.

New Zealand Red Cross has been working closely with the New Zealand government in the coordination of the disaster response for Samoa. We are also in close contact other Pacific Red Cross National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Ends

© Scoop Media