NEWS RELEASE
5 October 2009

Red Cross Helping in Samoa And in New Zealand

New Zealand Red Cross continued to provide assistance to the Samoa Red Cross Society over the weekend with specialist staff and disaster response supplies being utilised to help those affected.

Here in New Zealand, Red Cross first aid staff and emergency management volunteers were on hand to help Auckland airport services meet flights arriving from Samoa over the weekend. Red Cross was able to assist with passenger’s minor injuries and also provide new clothing to those in need.

The Samoan Red Cross Society estimates that 3500 people are under temporary shelter, with many others moving in with relatives or being billeted. While concerns are held that some people may have fled miles into the bush, those under temporary shelter are adequately catered for.

Water and sanitation, the handling and storage of bodies and psycho-social support remains the focus of relief efforts.

New Zealand Red Cross humanitarian aid worker Douglas Clark, the team leader in the International Red Cross’ Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT), says, “Any aid really needs to complement the resilience of families and communities. This supportive environment is a coping mechanism that will help Samoan people deal with the tragic events of this week and help them recover.”

The disaster response phase is now moving into an early recovery phase and the need for relief items is rapidly diminishing, although there is a need to restock what has already been used.

The Red Cross FACT, working closely with the Samoa Red Cross Society, is liaising with Samoan government ministries and relevant contacts to establish a comprehensive recovery plan that the International Red Cross network will assist in implementing. The Samoan Government estimate of damage to infrastructure, public and private properties is around NZ$195 million.

The New Zealand Red Cross Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal has been very well supported since it was launched last week. Donations can be made by:
• Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
• Donate online at www.givealittle.co.nz (who are working in partnership with Red Cross for this appeal)
• 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
• Visit your local ANZ, ASB, Kiwibank or TSB branch

New Zealand Red Cross guarantees that 100 percent of all donations will go directly to the appeal. The funds will be used to help the Samoa Red Cross Society restock their disaster response supplies, purchase those goods and services identified for disaster response, and to plan and implement longer term recovery programmes and projects.

Donations from New Zealanders have already raised the appeal to over $460, 000.

Television New Zealand’s Good Morning programme will host a special tsunami appeal show on Wednesday 7 October on TV1 from 9am – 12pm. Proceeds generated from the show will go into the Red Cross Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal.

New Zealand Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations. Offers of voluntary assistance and goods are not immediately helpful in this disaster response situation. While well meaning, additional people and unsolicited goods can create more burden for an already strained infrastructure in the affected country.

New Zealand Red Cross continues to work closely with the New Zealand government in the coordination of the disaster response and recovery plans for Samoa.

Ends

The New Zealand Red Cross website www.redcross.org.nz is being updated with current information about Samoa as well as the International Red Cross response to the other Pacific disasters currently under action.

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