Red Cross Sends Aid Worker to Kyrgyzstan

New Zealand Red Cross aid worker Grant Hargreaves is flying to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, tonight (Friday) to join an international Red Cross team.

The operation follows unrest in Kyrgyzstan that has forced 80,000 to 100,000 people to cross the border into Uzbekistan.

Mr Hargreaves, 49, a former East Coast farmer, has worked for the Red Cross in Liberia, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, North Korea and other countries. The logistician has worked in Central Asia several times starting in 1997 in Kyrgyzstan.

“It’s very familiar to me. But I don’t really know what to expect. As usual, my job will be getting goods in and out of the country, and transportation,” he said today.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Red Cross has pledged $12,000 to support its sister society, the Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan, to address the humanitarian crisis on the Uzbekistan border, where the refugees have fled.

Following the influx of refugees escaping the violence, the Uzbekistan Red Crescent has helped with shelter, non-food relief, water, sanitation and emergency health care.
New Zealand Red Cross is accepting donations to the Uzbekistan Emergency Appeal; 100% of money donated will go to the appeal.
Donations can be made by:
• Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.orgnz
• Sending cheques (made payable to New Zealand Red Cross) to Red Cross House, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
Making a donation at any New Zealand Red Cross office throughout the country