Red Cross calling for donations

Hi everyone

Please pass this on to your Pakistan or South Asia community/business etc contacts. We are thinking of all the people affected by these horrific floods and sending them our best wishes and some practical help.

Thanks,
Rosemarie 

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR PAKISTAN FLOODS

New Zealand Red Cross today announced it would support an international emergency appeal to help people living in miserable conditions after extensive flash floods in Pakistan.

Calling for donations, New Zealand Red Cross International Operations Manager Andrew McKie said, ?funds will help Pakistan Red Crescent Society branches and volunteers to deliver food, health services, tents, tarpaulins, water and relief items including hygiene kits and cooking equipment?.

New Zealand Red Cross is making a contribution of $13,000 to the operation, which plans to help 25,000 families for nine months in floods that are reportedly the worst in living memory. Many areas are still cut off by flooded roads and collapsed bridges, hampering relief efforts.

Many families have been forced from their homes and have been left with no means of support. They are living in miserable conditions. This appeal will help the Red Cross deliver more food, water and shelter materials,? said Mr McKie.

Flooding brings public health risks so a priority for the Red Cross and Red Crescent is ensuring clean water and sanitation to alleviate the threat of disease,? he said.

Two Kiwi aid workers are working in a Red Cross hospital in Peshawar in Pakistan treating war-wounded people. They are safe and not affected by the floods, McKie said.

One hundred percent of funds donated to the Pakistan floods through New Zealand Red Cross will go to the international emergency appeal.

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. http://www.redcross.org.nz/cms_display.php?st=1&sn=43&pg=513

Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org.nz or by phoning 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276).

For inquiries contact New Zealand Red Cross communications advisor Rosemarie North on (04) 495 0137 or 027 296 9687.