The Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission met on Monday to discuss new grants to meet the changing needs of the people of Christchurch affected by the 22 February earthquake.

Sir John Hansen, Chair of the 2011 Earthquake Commission said, “The Commission is now changing its focus to medium and long-term assistance. With the winter months around the corner, people’s needs are changing.

“On Monday, the Commission agreed on a new grant that will help children who have been displaced from their schools. Many schools in Christchurch will remain closed for the winter months, resulting in more disruption and upheaval to families at a time when their lives are already severely stressed.

“Applications for the Emergency and Hardship Grant provided a good indicator of the areas of Christchurch which were the hardest hit by the earthquake. Children living in the eastern suburbs are travelling much further to get to school each day, so the $500 grant will offset the additional mileage, which quickly adds up”.

A $500 one-off grant will be paid to the caregiver for each child if their school remains closed until the beginning of term three (subject to criteria). Schools affected from closure are Avonside Girls, Linwood College, Catholic Cathedral College, Discovery One, Heaton Normal Intermediate, Marian College, St Mary’s School, St Paul’s School, Shirley Boys’ High School and Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti.

The grant will also be paid for children whose early childhood centre or day care facility is closed and where alternative arrangements have been made. It is estimated nearly 7,000 children living in Christchurch are affected by school closures. More information on the new grant is available at www.redcrosseqgrants.org.nz

The Red Cross Emergency and Hardship Grant closed on April 11 at 5pm. To date, the grant has helped 43,600 families and individuals living in Christchurch.

The grant was set up by the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission immediately after the 22 February earthquake as a short term response to the needs of the people in Christchurch’s most affected suburbs.

Since the establishment of the grant on 3rd March, two teams in Wellington and Christchurch, a total of 65 staff and volunteers, have processed 43,600 applications and paid out a total of $37.9million.

Twenty dedicated staff at the New Zealand Red Cross call centre handled over 2,000 calls a day between 7am to 11pm, seven days a week and over 66,000 calls were received over the duration of the grant.

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.

For media enquiries on the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission and grants, please contact: Jacqui McCabe on 021 251 1801 or 03 332 0358

ENDS

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