Donate to Oxfam’s Cyclone Winston Appeal at Countdown

Donate to Oxfam’s Cyclone Winston Appeal at Countdown

25 February 2016: From today, Thursday 25 February, Countdown customers can donate to the Oxfam New Zealand Cyclone Winston Appeal for Fiji and Tonga at any Countdown store across the country.

Donations can be made in specially marked donation boxes at the checkout, or you can make a donation during your supermarket shop at the EFTPOS terminal. All proceeds go to the Oxfam New Zealand Cyclone Winston Appeal.

Countdown has kick-started the fundraising effort by donating $10,000 to the appeal and team members will also be taking part in a mufti day tomorrow to raise additional funds.

General Manager of Operations, Brett Ashley says supporting the appeal was an easy choice for Countdown.

“A number of our team and customers are from Fiji and have family over there that need our help. We want to do all we can to help our Pacific neighbours get back on their feet following this terrible disaster.

“We have kick-started the fundraising by donating $10,000 and are sure our customers will donate what they can to support the Appeal.”

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Rachael Le Mesurier, says that Fiji and Tonga are still in a state of shock as the reality of the impact of Cyclone Winston hits home.

“An estimated 350,000 people live within the very destructive zone 50kms either side of the path of the eye of the storm. Reports now indicate that some communities in Fiji have experienced 80–100% damage. At least 42 people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

“Oxfam has expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene and we are assessing what the needs are. Our priority is to provide life-saving clean water and support the Fijian government’s aid efforts. We’ve already deployed a water and sanitation expert and portable water filters to Suva.

“As the scale of the emergency unfolds, we will be doing our best to support our neighbours in Fiji and Tonga. The generosity of Kiwis is humbling and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported our appeal.”

ENDS

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