News Release
7 February 2011

Red Cross Sends Third Team to Queensland

New Zealand Red Cross is sending a third four-person team to Queensland, this time to help out with the state’s recovery from Cyclone Yasi.

The team consists of New Zealand Red Cross South Island Emergency Management Officer Steve Manson, Dunedin Area Manager Karen Clements, Waikato Area Manager Sue O’Donnell and Tasman Area Manager Fraser Benson.

While they are away, Mr Manson will be the Red Cross National Planning Officer, based in Brisbane while the other three team members will be working in the field with incident management teams.

The team will be leaving on Tuesday (8 February) after a morning briefing and will be staying in Australia for 10 days.

It is possible the team will be re-deployed to Victoria at some point to assist with the management of the Australian Red Cross flood response operation.

New Zealand Red Cross International Operations Manager Andrew McKie said it’s possible a fourth team will be sent over when team three returns, depending on what conditions are like over there.

“The continuing support provided by New Zealand Red Cross has been much appreciated by the Australian Red Cross emergency planners, some of whom have been working continuously since Tropical Cyclone Tasha in December,” he said.

Tasman area manager Fraser Benson said he’s keen to learn new skills and help out in any way he can while he’s in Australia.

He said he hopes his experience in recent New Zealand disasters such as the Canterbury earthquake is able to help him better deal with the situation in Queensland.

ENDS

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