Global Red Cross Appeal For Pakistan Quadrupled

Global Red Cross Appeal For Pakistan Quadrupled

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is now calling for global donations of NZ$103 million up from NZ$20 million to help flood-affected people in Pakistan.

New Zealand Red Cross and partners around the world are working with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society to help nearly 2 million people.

New Zealand Red Cross has raised $350,000 for Pakistan and urgently needs more donations for the super-flood. Assistance includes emergency relief, tents and shelter kits, medical care, clean water and improved sanitation, as well as help to restore livelihoods in the coming months.

While the floods have claimed nearly 1,500 lives, and forced millions from their homes, huge areas of land in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh remain underwater. Fears of diseases are growing and 27 Red Crescent mobile medical teams are playing a vital role in disease surveillance, tracking any spikes in communicable diseases such as malaria and cholera.

New Zealand Red Cross International Programmes Manager Glenn Rose says money donated by Kiwis will help with practical items such as kitchen sets (which cost $40) and water containers ($5) to help families cope.

“At this stage, thousands of Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers are working tirelessly across Pakistan distributing relief items, helping affected and displaced families. This increased global appeal will enable Red Cross to continue to help for up to 18 months,” says Mr Rose.

What donations can buy: kitchen set $40; hygiene kit $20; tarpaulin $20; family tent $330; shelter kit with tools $33; water container $5; blanket $13.

New Zealand Red Cross is calling on Kiwis to give generously in one of the following ways:

Phone 0900 31 100 to make a $20 donation

Make a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz

At any ANZ or ASB bank

New Zealand Red Cross urges supporters to donate cash, not goods, so that the right relief items can be sent to people in need as quickly as possible. Find out more here

ENDS

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