New Zealand Red Cross Overwhelmed

New Zealand Red Cross Overwhelmed By Kiwi Response To Australian Bushfire Appeal

The New Zealand public has already responded in an overwhelming way to support those affected by the Victorian bushfires.

In the past 24 hours since opening donation channels, New Zealand Red Cross has received over $115,000 for the 2009 Victoria Bushfire Fund.

The fund, launched by the Australian Red Cross in partnership with Victorian Premier John Brumby and the Federal Government, has been established to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.

The New Zealand Government committed $500,000 to the fund yesterday. A number of business and large organisations have also approached New Zealand Red Cross pledging financial support to the appeal.

People in New Zealand wishing to support the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund can do so by donating to New Zealand Red Cross. 100 percent of all donations made via New Zealand Red Cross will go directly to the fund.

Donations can be made by:

• visiting our website www.redcross.org.nz to make a secure online donation


• calling 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation


• sending a cheque to Australian Bushfire Appeal, Red Cross House, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144.


• making a donation at any New Zealand Red Cross service centre

People who had experienced difficulty making calls to the 0900 line should persevere. Last night the volume of calls to the 0900 number was so great that the phone lines were overloaded. An extra seven lines have now been added to cope with the demand.

According to official figures the bushfires have now claimed 173 lives, destroyed at least 750 homes and left more than 330,000 hectares of land burnt out.

Approximately 400 Australian Red Cross volunteers have responded to the disaster and are working throughout Victoria registering the names of people affected, providing meals for emergency services and people in relief centres and delivering first aid to victims of the bushfires as well as emergency service personnel.

As part of the global Red Cross Restoring Family Links programme, people who can not establish contact with immediate relatives or who may be directly affected by the bushfires can email familylinks@redcross.org.nz or can contact their local New Zealand Red Cross office for assistance.

New Zealand Red Cross is not seeking volunteers to assist with the bushfires. The Australian Red Cross has asked that people do not make donations of goods. Cash donations are the most effective way to assist in disaster situations such as this.

ENDS

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