28 February 2005

Agencies urged to apply for further tsunami funding

“There is still time to apply for the government 1:1 subsidy for funds raised for tsunami relief. Anyone who has raised money can apply up till the 14 March. Contact the Council for International Development (CID) if you need any assistance,” urged Rae Julian, Executive Director of CID.

As part of the Government’s overall $68 million package to tsunami relief, $19 million was allocated to match $ for $ funds raised by the New Zealand public. An initial $5 million of matching funds was allocated to 25 groups in mid-January and a second round earlier this month, disbursed a further $3.9m to 22 agencies and community organisations. Rae Julian said today that “this money is helping to fund an array of projects in tsunami affected countries and is already making a substantial difference for many people”.

Because of the unprecedented scale of the tsunami relief efforts, there is one final $ for $ funding round. “The immediate humanitarian response has now passed and we are now entering a longer-term reconstruction phase” said Ms Julian. For this next and final funding round, while applications for projects lasting up to one year are very welcome, agencies and community organisations are also encouraged to submit proposals for projects that will last up to five years.

Ms Julian said that the amount of money already raised by an array of small and large agencies and community groups demonstrates the extraordinary generosity of the New Zealand public. “Having this money matched by the government is very welcome and reflects our government’s support for the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which are helping the people affected by the disaster to get back on their feet. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government in the longer-term work of reconstruction and development” she said.

ENDS

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