23 June 2015

Red Cross Launches Emergency Appeal for Flooding

Red Cross has been responding to the severe flooding across the country and has launched an emergency appeal to further help the people hardest hit.

New Zealand Red Cross Secretary General Tony Paine says Red Cross’ emergency response teams have had a busy weekend responding to the floods, but as the scale of the damage becomes apparent, a comprehensive recovery job will be needed.

“We have launched an emergency appeal to help those most affected by the flooding, both in urban and rural areas, and both in the South and North Island.”

100 per cent of funds raised for the June 2015 Floods Appeal will go directly towards helping those worst affected by the flooding.

Thousands of people in urban and rural areas have been affected by the June 2015 floods which have devastated parts of Whanganui, Rangitikei, Taranaki, Hokitika and Dunedin.

“The floods are the worst disaster to affect New Zealand since the Canterbury earthquakes. Thousands of people will need help to get their lives and livelihoods back on track,” Mr Paine says.

Red Cross emergency response teams have been assisting Civil Defence around the country with evacuations, relief distributions, community outreach and assistance in welfare centres.

Mr Paine says the response teams will continue to be in place for as long as needed and that Red Cross is committed to supporting people to recover and build back stronger.

“It’s been an eventful year for us with Cyclone Pam and the Nepal earthquake, but as always we are just as ready to respond at home as we are overseas and we know that Kiwis are also just as ready to help here too.”

Ways to give:

ONLINE www.redcross.org.nz/donate

PHONE 0800 RED CROSS

MAIL New Zealand Red Cross Supporter Services, June 2015 Floods Appeal, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

BANK 12-3192-0015998-00; include your name and reference Floods SP12. Email fundraising@redcross.org.nz the date, amount, name and address for a receipt.

IN STORE at any Red Cross office or shop and at New Zealand Post branches.

ENDS

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