23 May 2016

Government pledges to match public donations to help Syrian refugees – Save the Children launches appeal

Save the Children is launching an appeal for Syrian refugee children following the Government’s decision to match every $1 donated by New Zealanders. Over the next 10 weeks until 1 August or up to $2.5million every dollar raised will be matched.

“We have a real opportunity to make an impact on the lives of these children caught up in a brutal civil war now going into its fifth year,’ says Save the Children CEO Heather Hayden. More than 5 million people are affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.

Hayden says, “It’s heartening to see the New Zealand government put their weight behind what is now a global humanitarian intervention. The pledge to match every dollar from the New Zealand public will help us reach more children scattered across Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. They are destitute, scared and in desperate need of help.”

Money raised will greatly increase the support Save the Children can provide. “Over the last five years Save the Children has been helping Syrian children across the Middle East in any way possible. We provide food, warm clothes, healthcare, and education as well as safe play spaces for children.”

“Children fleeing Syria are numbering in the millions. It’s the worst humanitarian crisis affecting children. Their barely lived lives have been thrown into turmoil and they are, as we speak, facing a hellish day-to-day existence and a frightening future. It’s hard for us adults to imagine enduring such extreme hardship and danger. Imagine a child going through that day after day, year after year.”

“We’re asking New Zealanders to help us help these children. With the $1 for $1 match by government we have an opportunity to double our efforts. Every donation helps Save the Children get in there and make a difference.”

How you can help? The refugee crisis isn’t just a story on the news – it’s happening here and it’s happening now. Watch the latest Save the Children video and donate today. The video shows what it’s like for a child to be forced into a boat, without a parent. It follows on another: Most Shocking Second a Day Video of a young girl having a birthday celebration one minute and the next she’s fleeing her home.

ENDS

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