Kiwis Must Donate More for Pakistan

New Zealand Red Cross Challenges Kiwis to Donate More for Pakistan

New Zealand Red Cross has raised $350,000 for Pakistan but today announced it urgently needed to collect more to buy emergency relief for the mega-disaster.

New Zealand Red Cross International Programmes Manager Glenn Rose says the scale of the disaster demands an extraordinary response.

“This mega flood has caused unprecedented damage to roads, infrastructure, homes and livelihoods, which is testing the ability of agencies to get aid to those who are most in need.

“So far the public have donated $350,000 to Red Cross but we need to urgently raise more money to fund essential emergency supplies for people facing grim times in Pakistan. There is sufficient bulk food available in Pakistan so the Red Cross Red Crescent operation is buying supplies locally, which is faster and better for people in need and the Pakistan economy,” he says.

The New Zealand Government is also giving $500,000 to the international Red Cross Red Crescent operation through New Zealand Red Cross.

New Zealand Red Cross and partners around the world are working with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society to help 300,000 families –over 2 million people.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent operation will give each family basic shelter equipment, a family kit and a food basket with enough food for a month containing 50kg flour, 20kg rice, 24kg lentils or black chickpeas, 15kg ghee, 5kg sugar, 1kg tea and a jute bag.

What donations can buy: kitchen set $40; hygiene kit $20; tarpaulin $20; family tent $330; shelter kit with tools $33; water container $10; blanket $13.

New Zealand Red Cross is calling on Kiwis to give generously in one of the following ways:
• Phone 0900 31 100 to make a $20 donation
• Make a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
• At any ANZ or ASB bank

New Zealand Red Cross urges supporters to donate cash, not goods, so that the right relief items can be sent to people in need as quickly as possible. Find out more here.

Note to reporters: examples of international standard kitchen sets, water containers, tents and tarpaulins are available in Auckland and Wellington.

The international Red Cross has been working in Pakistan since 1947 and remains committed to providing long term assistance.

ENDS

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