RED CROSS EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI APPEAL REACHES $1MIL

NEWS RELEASE

7 October 2009

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the New Zealand public, New Zealand Red Cross’ Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal has now reached $1 million. The total at 12.30pm today was $1,000,148.92.

Financial contributions have poured into the appeal during the past week with a significant increase today driven by the TVNZ special Good Morning tsunami show.

“The response to the Red Cross special appeal has been overwhelming, once again confirming the generosity of Kiwis in times like these, they really dig deep to help out. We have a strong link with our Pacific neighbours and we all want to do what we can to help those most in need. One hundred percent of the money donated will go directly to Samoa Red Cross Society to be used for immediate disaster response needs and longer term recovery programmes,” says Andrew McKie, New Zealand Red Cross International Operations Manager.

Donations to the New Zealand Red Cross Samoan Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal can be made by:

*Making a secure online donation at http//:http//:www.redcross.org.nz
*Donate online at http//:http//: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 Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, Red Cross House, PO 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.

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

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