FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2005

Save The Children New Zealand Winds Down Tsunami Appeal

Save the Children New Zealand today issued a thank you to all New Zealanders who had supported its tsunami appeal, declaring that further donations for children in tsunami-struck regions would no longer be actively sought.

Fundraising activities in New Zealand, government support and donations from the public had generated over NZ $1.6 million for the appeal, contributing to a global tally of US $200 million, which the International Save the Children Alliance has estimated is sufficient to carry out its tsunami relief work and long-term development plans for the region.

Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand John Bowis said that prospective donors would instead be encouraged to support the organisation’s equally critical work with children in other parts of the world.

“New Zealand’s generosity has been heart-warming”, he said. “However as our global organisation is now in a strong position to fulfil the immediate and long-term needs of children affected by the tsunami, we mustn’t neglect the needs of children elsewhere.”

“115 million children worldwide are missing out on an education, while the number of children orphaned to HIV/AIDS is increasing rapidly. Save the Children New Zealand’s committed giving programmes tackle these issues - and more - head on, but the extent of their impact relies on public and government support.”

Meanwhile, proceeds from fundraising activities already planned for Save the Children New Zealand’s tsunami appeal would be accepted for the tsunami response, he said.

ENDS

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please refer to the full statement issued by the International Save the Children Alliance, attached.

Contact Jo Pickford, 04 381 7573 or 021 469 199 for further comment.

Save the Children thanks supporters as global funding is secured to support children affected by the tsunami

February 15, 2005 – The International Save the Children Alliance today announced that thanks to contributions already received and fundraising activities in the pipeline, it now expects to have raised sufficient funds to meet the cost of its relief and recovery programme for children and families affected by the tsunami.

Save the Children is enormously grateful to all those who have responded so generously to help the most vulnerable victims of the tsunami tragedy – the children. We ask that people now consider giving to Save the Children’s emergency and long-term development work in more than 100 countries around the world.

To date, more than $200 million has been given or pledged by donors to Save the Children organisations around the world for tsunami related work. Thanks to this unprecedented generosity, Save the Children estimates it has raised sufficient funds to carry out its operations in the region.

However the relief and recovery effort will take years and significant funds. Our work in the region will focus on the three worst-affected countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India with smaller scale responses in other affected countries. Save the Children has operated in each of these countries for decades and has significant capacity to provide short- and long-term assistance. Its special emphasis is to bring immediate and lasting, positive change to children affected by this disaster.

Save the Children has been supplying food, water, medical kits, shelter and other necessities to meet the immediate needs of the survivors. Save the Children is also taking the lead on protection of children from exploitation, including launching major efforts to register and reunify separated or orphaned children with families and communities; and as quickly as possible to get children back in school settings, which provides a vital role in the protection, recovery and development of children and their society. This will be followed by a long-term focus on recovering livelihoods through job skills training and micro loans, repairing or rebuilding infrastructure - including schools, homes and health centres, and providing emotional support for trauma victims.

Many donations remain in "pledge" form and, while not yet received by Save the Children, have been incorporated into our plans for the tsunami effort. It is important for supporters to fulfill their pledged gifts, including completing special events, corporate matching gifts, and customer and employee donation programs currently planned and underway. All donations designated for the tsunami relief effort will be used to support the international response to those impacted by this devastating tsunami.

We are inspired that so many have turned to Save the Children to ensure that their money is spent efficiently and effectively to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by this historic tragedy – particularly children.

ENDS

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