8 April, 2011

With only two days until the Emergency and Hardship Grant closes, Sir John Hansen, Chair of the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission, today made a final appeal for people affected by the February earthquake to come forward before the grant ceases on Monday at 5pm. “Uptake for the Emergency and Hardship grant has been phenomenal and has far exceeded the Commission’s original expectations. To date, the Red Cross have paid out nearly $37 million and are still receiving 800 applications a day.

“The bulk of the applications have come from the hardest hit areas on the East side of Christchurch. Anyone who has been without electricity, sewerage or water for over seven days has been eligible to apply for the grant.

“The grants team are current with applications but there are still around 5,000 forms in the ‘exceptions’ process to be worked through, which all the team are now working on. “In most instances the ‘exceptions’ cover applications that don’t match the criteria; where there have been multiple applications received from the same household; or where there has been a failure to provide no bank account, contact or other essential information.

“The exception process takes longer as in most instances additional information and verification are required. However we envisage these applications will be completed after Easter”, said Sir John Hansen.

Through donations received from across New Zealand and the rest of the world, the Red Cross has been able to provide assistance to over 47,841 families and individuals living in Christchurch in the early days after the February earthquake. One typical family affected by the earthquake are Martin, Emma and Gwendolyn Booth who live in New Brighton, which was badly affected by liquifaction and damage in the streets.

“The whole flat went crazy, everything flew out of the cupboards and all the furniture was knocked over! We had no water or power for weeks and our streets were ruined,” says Emma. “The main thing was to keep Gwen safe and warm. We used some of the money to go and visit family in Nelson where they still had all of the essentials - power, water and food.

Not having to worry about those was a real lifesaver” “We needed the money for food, fuel and to pay the bills,” Martin, an English language teacher, found himself out of work following the quake. “The Red Cross is there to help people in emergencies like this. It was really helpful, and we’d just like to say thanks to Red Cross and everyone who’s given them money for the Appeal,” said Martin.

The Emergency and Hardship Grant closes on Monday, 11 April 2011 at 5pm. The Commission meets next week to consider new grants that will help the people of Christchurch’s ongoing needs.

People who have not yet applied for the emergency and hardship grant should do so as soon as possible on www.redcrosseqgrants.org.nz . Residents should contact the helpline on 0800 754 726 if they need support.

People can donate to the appeal via www.redcross.org.nz or make a secure credit card donation on 0800 272 006 or text a message to 4419 to donate $3.

ENDS

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