11 November 2013

New Zealand Red Cross Launches Appeal for Typhoon Haiyan

New Zealand Red Cross has launched an appeal to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan with an initial contribution of $100,000.

Thousands of people have been killed and many more are homeless, after the typhoon hit the central Philippines on Friday, bringing widespread flooding, landslides and destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Up to four million people have been affected by the storm and aid agencies are struggling to reach some of the more remote areas.

The international Red Cross Movement has responded and is helping the Philippines Red Cross with aid, personnel and emergency goods.

People in New Zealand can help by donating to the emergency appeal at www.redcross.org.nz

New Zealand Red Cross acting Secretary General Bruce McGregor says the best way for people to help is by donating to the appeal, not by giving goods.

“Unsolicited goods can clog up ports and airports and distract staff from more important tasks. This can be detrimental to those most in need.

“The International Federation of Red Cross has pre-stocked warehouses all over the Asia-Pacific region, full of brand new goods like tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and jerry cans. Please do not collect or send goods, as it is common for aid organisations to be left with large quantities of goods that are not required – sometimes at great cost.”

Mr McGregor says 100 per cent of funds raised will go towards responding to the disaster. @NZRedCross facebook.com/newzealandredcross

New Zealand Red Cross also offers a family tracing service. Anyone looking for family in the Philippines should go to the New Zealand Red Cross website and click on Emergency Appeal: Typhoon Haiyan.

New Zealanders with concerns for family members who are New Zealand citizens should try and make direct contact in the first instance and call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade if they have on-going concerns (Tel: 04 439 8000).

ENDS

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