Red Cross appeal reaches a million dollars

The New Zealand Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal has reached the million-dollar mark.

“New Zealanders have donated $1.2 million to people affected by the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunamis, since our appeal began five days ago,” says Red Cross Operations Manager Andrew McKie. “It’s been a phenomenal response.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross call centre, set up to assist New Zealanders looking for families and friends, has fielded 7,000 since Tuesday night.

“We don’t expect there will any let up over the weekend. Our 16 phone lines will be fully manned, around the clock. Many of the calls coming in over the past 24 hours have been offers of assistance, or from friends and family who have located loved ones.”

However, he says, new enquiries about people who are unaccounted for in South Asia continue to come in.

Mr McKie says the Red Cross is not collecting door to door. He recommends members of the public contact their regional Red Cross office if they have any concerns about local collections.

All money raised will go directly to providing relief, as the Red Cross takes no money from special appeals for administration costs and Telecom has waived its standard 70-cent charge on each 0900 phone donation.

$20 donations can be made by phoning 0900 31 100. Donations can also be made at www.redcross.org.nz, or at branches of the ASB, BNZ, Westpac, TSB, ANZ and National Banks and at all Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown supermarkets.

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