NEWS RELEASE

18 March 2015

International Red Cross launches emergency appeal to raise NZD $5.3 million for Vanuatu

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal for NZD $5.3 million to support 60,000 people affected by Tropical Cyclone Pam which has devastated much of Vanuatu.

Kiwi donations to the New Zealand Red Cross Tropical Cyclone Pam appeal currently total around $280,000.00

One of the worst cyclones to affect the Pacific in recent history, Tropical Cyclone Pam has left massive humanitarian needs across the islands of Vanuatu and most of the country’s six provinces remain flooded and inaccessible, and communication is intermittent across the affected area.

“We need all the help we can get in the coming weeks and months and we need it urgently,” says Jacqueline de Gaillande, CEO of the Vanuatu Red Cross.

“People are desperate for water, food and safe shelter and time is of the essence.”

Originally from Hawkes Bay, Red Cross communications aid worker Hanna Butler is in Vanuatu and is today flying over the most devastated area, the island of Tanna.

“What usually looks like a lush green tropical island now looks barren and brown. Trees have been stripped of their leaves and most of the houses which are still standing have lost their roofs. Those that were not built with concrete have almost all disappeared, as if they had never existed. Driving through Port Vila, houses are flattened and even concrete structures are damaged,” says Hanna.

“One of the biggest problems now is access to food as all the crops and gardens are destroyed, leaving people with the only option of buying their food, which will inevitably result in dramatic price increases.”

Hanna has been speaking to people in Vanuatu to find out how they have been affected, including Jack Kalo Alick who lives in Port Vila.

“This is the strongest cyclone I have experienced in my life,” says Jack. “The wind was howling outside and my children screaming inside. It was like a monster waking up and shaking our house. I even asked my mother if she had ever seen something like that. She said no, not even cyclone Uma!” which killed 50 people in Vanuatu in 1987.

New Zealand Red Cross, in partnership with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sending more disaster supplies to Vanuatu, including another 1000 tarpaulins, 295 shelter kits and 300 kitchen sets.

Ways to give:

• A special appeal for Tropical Cyclone Pam has been set up to raise funds that will be used by New Zealand Red Cross to respond to the needs of those affected by the immense devastation Tropical Cyclone Pam.

• 100% of the donations will go directly to our neighbours in the Pacific who have been affected by Cyclone Pam.

• The Tropical Cyclone Pam appeal will be used to help ensure that aid workers can be deployed to provide immediate and long term assistance with providing vital supplies of aid such as shelter kits, Kitchen kits, First Aid Kits and water and sanitation solutions towards to contributing to the long term relief effort.

• People can donate to the Tropical Cyclone Pam special appeal online – www.redcross.org.nz/donate or call us on 0800 RED CROSS

• Donations can also be made through cheques to New Zealand Red Cross Supporter Services PO Box 12140 Thorndon Wellington 6144.

• Cash donations can be made via service centres.

• Donations can be made via New Zealand Post Group. Donations can be made in collection boxes located in Post shops nationwide or directly into a specially set up Kiwibank account – Access number: 1219324, Account number: 38 9010 0620343 01. Kiwibank customers can also donate via calling Kiwibank on 0800 113 355.

• ASB and BNZ customers are also able to make donations through their banks

• New Zealand Red Cross recommends sending cash donations rather than goods. Donations allow us, where possible, to buy the relief items required in the affected area.

This benefits the local economy and allows us to take into account local tastes, traditions and cultures. If you would like to donate goods, please give them to a Red Cross shop in your area. There's more info about this on our website here: https://www.redcross.org.nz/about-us/donating-during-emergencies/

ENDS

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