$110,000 Paid Out in Emergency Grants in Canterbury

The Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission has given emergency grants valued at $110,500 this week to 44 households whose homes became uninhabitable in the quake.

The Commission, which began receiving applications on Monday 13 September, paid its first one-off grants of up to $3,000 on Tuesday. Funds come from the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal, which stands at $4.9 million not including $5 million pledged by the Government.

Michael McEvedy, former Mayor of Selwyn District Council and a member of the newly formed Commission, says grants are a lifeline for some recipients.

“The Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Commission is really pleased we have been able to start making payments to these deserving Canterbury families so quickly. We aim to process as many applications as quickly as possible.”

Mr McEvedy says recipients have written to express their gratitude to kind Kiwis.

“Words cannot express how appreciative I am for the grant. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” a recipient emailed. “Thank you to the Red Cross and to all the people who donated money to help people out there like me and my son at time like this! With such a traumatic experience, being thrown out of your loved home because of a natural disaster, being parted with your familiar surroundings and belongings is a disheartening ordeal. Yet it is comforting to know that there are kind people out there who are supportive and want to help.”

Another wrote, “I can’t thank you enough for this grant. I am in a very difficult position trying to access alternative accommodation and these funds will allow me to pay for this. Please pass on what a huge difference this is making for people affected by the quake.”

Today eligibility rules for the fund were amended to ensure everyone who qualifies can receive a grant. Updated rules and application forms are available at www.redcross.org.nz/earthquakegrant

The Commission expects to announce criteria for other grants early next week.

Donations to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal can be made by:

Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
Calling 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation
At any Post Shop Kiwibank, ANZ, National, ASB, TSB Bank and BNZ branches around New Zealand

ENDS

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