15 December 2016
Kiwis dig deep to make a difference in Syria
New Zealand Red Cross is today sending $50,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help provide
emergency aid to civilians in Aleppo.
Kiwis have dug deep to make a difference following an escalation of violence in Syria this week. Their donations to the
New Zealand Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal will allow the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), to provide
lifesaving humanitarian aid to displaced civilians in Aleppo.
Thousands are sheltering in temporary accommodation in the city’s south-east where Red Cross volunteers are providing
medical care, water, and hot meals.
Red Cross is appealing to all sides of the conflict to spare civilian lives and issuing a reminder that the rules of
warfare must be respected. ICRC and SARC are ready to implement any mutual agreement that puts civilians first.
“This is a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Further loss of life can be stopped if the parties to the conflict in
Syria apply the basic rules of warfare, and humanity,” says New Zealand Red Cross International Humanitarian Law
advisor, Dr Rebecca Dudley.
“We urge the parties to spare civilians caught up in the conflict, and to take this chance to save lives.”
Kiwis can continue to support the Red Cross’ work in Syria by donating to the Syria Crisis Appeal, 100% of the money
raised will go directly to the people affected by this conflict.
A donation of just $35 could provide blankets to displaced families or $68 could provide food for a month. Donations can
be made via the Red Cross website: https://www.redcross.org.nz/donate/syrian-refugee-crisis/