NEWS RELEASE

20 November 2013

Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan Appeal Reaches $1 Million

Donations to the New Zealand Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan appeal have reached the one million dollar mark. The response to the emergency appeal is the biggest since the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

Red Cross spokesperson Bruce McGregor says he’s humbled by the generosity and compassion shown by New Zealanders towards those caught in the most powerful typhoon in recorded history.

“The appeal has only been open for 10 days and to reach a million dollars in that time is a fantastic achievement. People have rushed to help, and we expect many more donations to come in through organisations and businesses who are fundraising on our behalf.

“Thank you to every single one of you. Your donation really does make a difference, and means the Philippines Red Cross and IFRC can get food, water, shelter and medical help to those caught up in this catastrophe. One hundred per cent of donations go towards helping those affected.”

The typhoon has affected 11 million people and displaced four million. While the official death toll stands at 4000, local officials and aid workers fear it could rise much higher.

Three New Zealand aid workers are on the ground in Tacloban and Cebu, helping repair vital telecommunications and IT links for the IFRC’s massive relief effort.

Mike Carson from Wanganui, Thomas McNally from Auckland and Ewan Coldicott from Wellington took one tonne of IT and telecommunications equipment with them, including HF and VHF radios, satellite communications and also equipment to set up computer networks.

The aid workers are completely self-sufficient, carrying their own tents, food and water filtration systems, and it’s envisaged they will stay in the field for a month. @NZRedCross facebook.com/newzealandredcross

Mr McGregor says cash donations are still needed and are the best way people can help.

“Cash is more easily collected, transferred, distributed and accounted for. We do not accept clothing, food or other goods, as they can clog up airports and ports and distract humanitarian workers from more important tasks.”

Mr McGregor says New Zealand Red Cross can also help people trace family members missing in the Philippines through its Restoring Family Links programme. So far the service has fielded 21 inquiries. New Zealand Red Cross has also actively contacted migrant groups to let them know how it can help.

For more information contact:

Corinne Ambler, Communications Manager p: +64 27 705 3689 e: corinne.ambler@redcross.org.nz

ENDS

Ways to donate to the Typhoon Haiyan appeal :

Through our website: www.redcross.org.nz

By sending donations to the Typhoon Haiyan Appeal, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington

By making a direct credit into our bank account: ASB 12-3192-0015998-00

By using the smartphone app Push Pay

If you have lost contact with a family member in the Philippines:

If you are based in New Zealand and your family member is a Philippines national, please email familylinks@redcross.org.nz or call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276)

If you are not in New Zealand please go to the ICRC Restoring Family Links website and contact your local National Society - www.familylinks.icrc.org

New Zealanders with concerns for New Zealand citizen family members in the Philippines should try and make direct contact in the first instance and call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade if they have on-going concerns (Tel: 04 439 8000).

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