News Release

13 January 2014

Mayoral fund activated after Cyclone Ian

Auckland’s Tongan community and the Mayoral Fund for the Pacific (MFP) are poised for action in the wakeof the damage caused by Cyclone Ian in Tonga.

A State of Emergency has been declared in Tonga and authorities here in New Zealand are on standby as they await requests for assistance.

The Mayoral Fund for the Pacific was set up in the wake of Cyclone Evan which struck Samoa in December 2013.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Tonga as they start the clean-up after this devastating event,” says Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

“if Aucklanders would like to contribute to the Fund they can do so through the following channels. Cash is king, and tax deductible donations into the Fund can be made at any time.”

The Fund is managed by Auckland Communities Foundation (ACF) and donations should be made through ACF as follows:

• Via the ‘donate now’ function on the ACF website www.aucklandcf.org.nz

• Via direct payment to the ACF bank account (with reference ‘MFP’ to ASB Bank account 12-3028-0714703-00)

• Via cheque made payable to ‘Auckland Communities Foundation Mayoral Fund for the Pacific’ and sent to PO Box 26087, Epsom 1334

“We know people are anxious to help – donations to the Mayoral Fund will help with immediate relief. If people are considering preparing family to family boxes, they should be aware it is uncertain at this stage as to how or when they will get to the areas devastated by the cyclone.

In recognition of Auckland’s place as the world’s biggest Polynesian city, the Fund provides a place for Aucklanders to contribute funds and to assist with family-to-family support for our Pacific neighbours.

Since the fund was established, the leaders of the MFP have come forward with response plans for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Tonga and Fiji. These plans will be actioned when any of these nation’s governments officially declare a state of emergency and seek assistance. Auckland Civil Defence will also play a part in the coordination required to send goods to families in need.

The Mayoral Fund’s focus is on raising funds that can support the coordination of family-to-family disaster response efforts, as well as disaster preparedness projects that build long-term community resilience in the Islands.

Ends

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