Although all New Zealanders are keen to help their family, friends and Canterbury residents affected by Tuesday’s quake, sending money rather than goods is the most effective way they can help, Wellington region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group chairperson Jenny Rowan says.

“Since Tuesday I have been overwhelmed by the assistance that is pouring into the Canterbury region, not only from the Wellington region but also from other parts of New Zealand and internationally. Everybody has been touched deeply by this latest aftershock and particularly by the loss of lives and household disruption.

“As a result everybody wants to do something that can help those people directly affected by the quake.

“Many organisations and community groups are busy organising collections of all manner of goods that they think may be able to help households. While this is extremely well intentioned, people forget that Christchurch’s normal infrastructure has been severely damaged. Once goods are delivered to Christchurch, there are few places available to store them and even fewer ways of identifying household needs and delivering those goods to those who may most need them.

“Money is the best form of assistance that people who want to help can give. It’s easier to distribute and needy people can use it to help procure the things that they really need.

“I really encourage people in the Greater Wellington region to donate as much as they are able. At times like this there is no such thing as a small donation,” Jenny Rowan said.

Donations for the Christchurch earthquake can be made to these agencies:
Red Cross – visit: www.redcross.org.nz/donate
Salvation Army: 0800 53 00 00 (Specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’)
Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
Any Westpac Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00
Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00

ENDS

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