Kiwi Red Cross Workers Lead Enormous Indian Relief

Kiwi Red Cross Workers Lead Enormous Indian Relief Operation

Two New Zealanders are leading the Red Cross relief effort in India following the countries devastating earthquake that has killed thousands of people and left thousands more homeless.

Bob McKerrow of Hokitika, is Head of the South Asian Regional Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cross Societies, and is leading the overall Red Cross relief operation in India. He says, the Red Cross is gearing up for an ¡§enormous¡¨ operation to help victims of the earthquake, which struck on Friday.

He is joined by fellow New Zealander, Alan Bradbury of Auckland, who is co-ordinating field operations from the earthquake-effected city of Ahmadabad.

Mr McKerrow said today that the relief operation will be huge. ¡§The Indian Red Cross has already flown blankets, tents and medical supplies into the affected area, and the International Federation is now receiving Red Cross teams and assistance from all corners of the world.¡¨

He said that relief delegates, surgeons and medical teams were arriving as part of the International Federation¡¦s response to the massive earthquake.

¡§Our major focus at the moment is to meet the most urgent needs, and to get specialist staff into the field as quickly and effectively as possible. It is going to be an enormous operation.¡¨

The International Federation is providing clothes, blankets, basic medical supplies, shelter and construction materials and provision of clean water and sanitation facilities.

New Zealanders can call 0900-33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation,
or post a donation to:
Freepost Red Cross, PO Box 12-140, Wellington.

For further information, please contact:
„h Andrew McKie, Operations Manager, New Zealand Red Cross. Ph: 04 472 3750 (office) or 025 230 1983 (mobile)
„h Patrick Fuller, Regional Information Delegate, Geneva. Ph: +91 981 009 9794 (mobile)

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