http://www.redcross.org.nz/
6 SEPTEMBER 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

RED CROSS LAUNCHES APPEAL TO HELP RUSSIAN HOSTAGE VICTIMS

New Zealand Red Cross today launched a special appeal for funds to assist in the aftermath of the school hostage crisis, in Russia.

"The Russian Red Cross has appealed for international assistance to help the injured survivors of the Beslan school siege, which has claimed up to 400 lives," said New Zealand Red Cross Director General, Flora Gilkison.

"As a mark of international solidarity, we are asking New Zealanders to help the Red Cross respond to this tragic situation."

The Russian Red Cross has said there is an urgent need for a range of expensive medical equipment, including operating tables, ventilators and bedside monitors, and that bedding is also desperately needed. However, New Zealanders can only really help with this need by donating money. Donations of medical equipment are not appropriate.

No money will be deducted from the appeal for marketing or administration purposes.

To help New Zealanders can:
* phone 0900 33 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
* post a donation to Freepost Red Cross, PO Box 12-140, Wellington
* make a credit card donation on-line at http://www.redcross.org.nz/

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>