Kiwis get behind World Vision’s response to Cyclone Pam

Kiwis get behind World Vision’s response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

The Vodafone Warriors have announced they’ll donate $1000 for every try they score in their NRL match against the Parramatta Eels this Saturday to World Vision’s Cyclone Pam appeal. There will also be donation boxes at the game, their first home game of the season, at Mt Smart Stadium.

The Vodafone Warriors join some of New Zealand’s most iconic businesses in supporting World Vision and raising funds for the people of Vanuatu.

The Warehouse, Seven Sharp and Z Energy are just some of the organisations joining World Vision to help get Vanuatu back on its feet after the devastating cyclone which has killed 11 people and destroyed thousands of homes and livelihoods.

Thanks to the generosity of Kiwis, World Vision have so far raised $409,151 for the victims of Cyclone Pam. World Vision have been on the ground in Vanuatu for over 30 years and have already begun distribution of emergency supplies to those in need.

The funds raised in this appeal will go toward providing emergency food, water, sanitation, shelter and healthcare, and will form the basis of the massive rebuild that will be needed in the coming months.

Vodafone Warriors Managing Director Jim Doyle said the club was proud to support World Vision in their response to Cyclone Pam and expects members and fans to do all they can to help as well.

“We have such strong links with the Pacific Islands community and feel so much sympathy for the people of Vanuatu and what they’re going through,” Doyle said. “We know how generous our members and fans are and we’re sure they’ll get right behind us in backing this campaign.”

Iconic Kiwi companies The Warehouse and Z Energy are also supporting the cause with collection boxes throughout their stores and stations in New Zealand.

The Warehouse have boxes in store now for their customers to donate, while Z Energy will be taking donations from next week.

Z Energy Community Manager Christine Langdon said “The scenes of devastation emerging from Vanuatu over the past few days have highlighted how much support our close neighbours will need to recover and rebuild. We know how generous Kiwis are, and that our customers will welcome the opportunity to support the appeal when they are filling up at Z.”

Media are getting on board to support the effort, with Seven Sharp screening stories from disaster-stricken Vanuatu this week, and providing Kiwis with a text-to-donate number to support World Vision’s work.

Radio Rhema are also going all out to fundraise, holding an hour-long appeal this morning, while their presenters are joining World Vision’s on-street fundraisers today to shake a bucket for the people of disaster-hit Vanuatu.

World Vision New Zealand CEO Chris Clarke is thrilled by how Kiwis have come together to help the people of Vanuatu.

“What we’re seeing in Vanuatu has been described as utter devastation. We’re so encouraged by how New Zealanders are responding to our neighbours in the Pacific and we can confidently say that we are doing our bit to help”, says Clarke.

McKenzie Kalotiti, the Consulate General of Vanuatu to New Zealand is equally pleased.

“The people of Vanuatu are struggling, so it’s incredibly uplifting to see the care and support that’s been shown to them by New Zealanders. I have always considered our nations to be great friends, and it’s in times of hardship that we know we can rely on each other.”

The full extent of the damage wrought by Cyclone Pam is beginning to unfold as humanitarian agencies gain access in and around the capital Port Vila and to affected islands. As relief teams access more areas across the country, the number of affected people is likely to increase.

ENDS

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