Red Cross Commission announces grants

Red Cross Commission announces grants for power for the elderly and a relocation grant for school children

The Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission met in Christchurch on Monday and have confirmed two new grants to help Christchurch residents get back on their feet following the 22 February earthquake.

The first new grant will provide an electric heating subsidy to people over 65 who are living in a damaged home.

Sir John Hansen, chair of the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission says the Commission sees helping vulnerable people, particularly the elderly to keep warm in Christchurch this winter, as a top priority. The Commission approved a further heating package to assist vulnerable children with an announcement to be made within the week.

“We have looked closely at existing support to meet winter electricity and heating costs and have a new grant which will complement Government and other programmes. It is clear from our discussions that the elderly residents of houses with earthquake damage need assistance urgently. For every approved applicant the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal will contribute $100 each month for four months directly to the electricity retailers. There will be appropriate criteria to ensure only the approximately 5,800 eligible elderly households receive this support”.

The form and criteria for the Earthquake Winter Assistance Grant for the Elderly will be available today, Wednesday 1 June, and the grant will close on 27 June 2011.

The second new grant – Relocated School Children grant will cover pupils attending their existing school but commuting a significant distance because of earthquake damage to their houses, forcing them to relocate.

Hansen says, “This new schools grant reflects that there are costs and levels of issues being faced by children and families where their school has remained open but they have had to move. The Commission has set up the Relocated School Children Grant to reflect the costs and issues faced by families. Those who qualify have combinations of damaged houses and streets and restricted services, the grants are not just covering school costs but reflect these hardship issues.”

The form and criteria for the Relocated School Children Grant will be available from today, Wednesday 1 June, and the grant will close on 27 June 2011.

New Zealand Red Cross has had discussions with the Government and decided the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal be used for humanitarian aid, or immediate relief to complement the Government’s work on rehabilitation and recovery.

Over $64 million dollars has been raised to date in the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal with over $45 million is grants already disbursed to over 51,000 affected Christchurch residents.

For more information on the new grants go to:

www.redcrosseqgrants.org.nz

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