April 25 2005

Red Cross applauds New Zealand Government support for tsunami relief

Government funding announced today will push the New Zealand Red Cross South Asia Tsunami Appeal tally close to $20 million.

The Government will give New Zealand Red Cross about $9 million. The New Zealand public has now given close to $11 million.

New Zealand Red Cross Director General Andrew Weeks says the New Zealand contribution, managed through the Government’s international aid and development agency NZAID, will greatly assist international Red Cross relief efforts, which will span several years in the worst affected areas.

“New Zealand Red Cross commends and thanks the Government for its commitment to support the tsunami appeal to the capped amount of $19 million, “ Mr Weeks says. “We welcome the decision to allocate the matched funding on an equal basis across all the agencies that applied. “

“New Zealand Red Cross values the balanced relationship, long-term commitment and support that it has received from the New Zealand Government.”

Mr Weeks reaffirmed that all money donated will go directly to the appeal, as New Zealand Red Cross administration costs for special appeals are covered by income from Red Cross shops and first aid training.

“New Zealand Red Cross is hugely grateful to all New Zealanders who have contributed so generously to our South Asia Tsunami Appeal, and helped us to raise almost five times the amount ever raised for any previous emergency appeal.”

The biggest previous New Zealand Red Cross emergency appeal raised $4.2 million for the Rwanda crisis in 1995.

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