Red Cross Earthquake Commission announces new grant

23 April 2012

Red Cross Earthquake Commission announces new grant

The New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission has confirmed a new grant, to help some of the most vulnerable people affected by the Canterbury earthquakes.

The Disability Support Grant is for people with disabilities and their carers, whose quality of life has been adversely affected by damage to infrastructure and reduced access to services.

The cash grant is for $750 and can be used for respite care, transport, recreation or simply a break out of Christchurch.

Earthquake Commission chair Sir John Hansen says many carers in Canterbury are reaching breaking point trying to deal with their own earthquake damage, and their job is being made harder by greater travel times and fewer facilities.

“The closure of facilities like QEII and Centennial Pool has had an enormous impact on the recreational options for people with disabilities.

“International research shows people with disabilities are disproportionately disadvantaged in disasters, and also tend to be excluded.”

The Commission will also be providing more help to those most seriously injured in the earthquakes.

Previously Red Cross gave these people, who include amputees and those paralysed, a grant of $7500, but Sir John Hansen says many are still struggling and need more help.

“The Commission has decided to reopen all past Red Cross grants to the most seriously injured people.

“Many of these people missed out on applying at the time because they were in comas or in hospital, and in some ways they have been forgotten.”

The Red Cross Earthquake Commission is looking into further ways it can help these people and their families, and the relatives of those killed in the earthquake.

The Commission has also relaxed the criteria for two existing grants.

The Independent Advice Grant will be extended to include some households zoned Green/Blue (technical category 3) with under $100,000 damage.

The Storage Grant will now be open to renters and some homeowners with under $100,000 damage.

“This may go some way towards helping those who are having difficulty during Canterbury’s current housing shortage.

“While we don’t have the funds to help with housing, covering storage costs means there is one less thing for these people to worry about,” Sir John Hansen says.

Twelve million dollars is earmarked for the new grants.

In total more than $67 million in grants has been distributed to 76,888 people.

More than $115 million has been raised to date by the New Zealand Red Cross from the September and February earthquake appeals.

The total includes $14 million donated from overseas for specific purposes such as the long term recovery of Christchurch.

The remaining $34 million is earmarked for grants which are still open, including those announced today.

For more details on the criteria, or to apply for these grants go to www.redcrosseqgrants.org.nz

ENDS

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