NEWS RELEASE
30 September 2009

New Zealand Red Cross Aid Worker And Equipment to Assist in Samoa

Experienced Red Cross humanitarian aid worker Douglas Clark will fly to Samoa as soon as possible to provide assistance to the Samoan Red Cross and enhance their ability to provide much needed help to the thousands of people affected by the large earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the Islands this morning.

Douglas is trained in Red Cross disaster assessment and response and will work with Samoan Red Cross staff to complete an immediate needs assessment, as well as providing advice on disaster recovery needs.

There are additional New Zealand Red Cross humanitarian aid workers on stand-by to travel to Samoa if requested.

New Zealand Red Cross has a stock of disaster response equipment stored in Auckland to be used to assist in the Pacific region if required. Samoa Red Cross has requested a quantity of tarpaulins (500), water containers (500) and first aid kits (100 and 100 refills) be released from the stocks.

The Samoan Red Cross have mobilised over 130 volunteers to all evacuation areas to undertake registration and assess other needs. They are also distributing fresh drinking water and administering first aid where required.

New Zealand Red Cross has launched an appeal for the Samoan Red Cross to assist in funding their disaster and recovery response. Donations can be made by:
• Making a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
• Sending cheques to the Samoan Red Cross fund, Red Cross House, P O Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144
• Calling 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
• Making a donation at any New Zealand Red Cross office throughout the country

New Zealand Red Cross has contributed $10,000 to the appeal.

Kind hearted people have been contacting New Zealand Red Cross with many different offers of assistance for those affected by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. New Zealand Red Cross is only able to accept financial donations. Offers of clothing (new or used), goods of any kind or offers of voluntary assistance are not immediately helpful in this disaster situation.

Douglas Clark, from Dunedin, will travel to Samoa either this evening or tomorrow. He is one of New Zealand Red Cross’ most experienced disaster response humanitarian aid workers, having deployed to assist in most Pacific disasters during the past ten years. The disaster stocks will be transported into Samoa as soon as possible.

New Zealand Red Cross has been working closely with the New Zealand government in the coordination of the disaster response for Samoa. We are also in close contact other Pacific Red Cross National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Ends

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