South East Asia tsunami and New Zealand Red Cross 2½ years on: $20 million and 25 aid workers.

On Boxing Day 2004 it took only minutes for the South East Asia tsunami to destroy thousands of lives and livelihoods, and demolish vast tracts of costal area along the Indian Ocean rim. Two and a half years on the reconstruction and recovery programmes continue, with considerable contribution from New Zealanders and New Zealand Red Cross.

This month New Zealand Red Cross will make their final financial contribution to the South East Asia tsunami international Red Cross appeal with a payment of $6.8 million. Over the past 2 ½ years New Zealand Red Cross has facilitated the transfer of over $20 million to the relief and reconstruction process, as well as deploying and supporting 25 specialised Kiwi aid workers in tsunami affected areas.

Financial contributions have been drawn from generous public donations and government support. Funds have been released incrementally over the past 2 ½ years at the request of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in order to better manage longer term reconstruction projects and programmes.

New Zealand Red Cross national president Penny Mason says the amount of money raised by New Zealand Red Cross for the South East Asia tsunami appeal is the largest the organisation has ever generated.

“A huge thank you goes to all New Zealanders who contributed to the appeal. Your donations have made a real difference in the lives of those affected by this disaster,” said Mrs Mason.

Mrs Mason says every dollar generated by New Zealand Red Cross for the appeal has been spent on reconstruction and recovery projects in tsunami affected areas with no administration costs deducted.

To continue to provide on-going assistance to the international Red Cross’reconstruction and recovery projects, New Zealand Red Cross has retained $2 million earned from interest on the appeal’s total funds. All of this money will be used to fund further aid worker deployments into tsunami affected areas.

New Zealand Red Cross aid workers deployed to tsunami affected areas have and will continue to assist in providing health support, managing construction projects, working on water and sanitation programmes and provided specialised logistical and distribution support.

New Zealand Red Cross also continues to manage a full international programme, providing donations and aid workers to countries around the world in need of assistance with a strong focus on alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people.

ENDS

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