Red Cross Blogs

New Zealand earthquake: worldwide support helps families recover

By Katrina Crew
August 22, 2011 at 10:28 am

Today marks six months since an earthquake in Christchurch left many families bereaved and homeless.

More than 160 people died in the quake, and some 2,500 were injured. Many homes were reduced to rubble or badly damaged.

Around the world, people generously donated so those families could recover their lives and livelihoods. Worldwide, Red Cross appeals made over NZ$80 million (around £40 million).

Thanks to the public’s generosity, the British Red Cross raised £2.1 million. The New Zealand Red Cross has set up an earthquake commission to oversee the use of appeal funds. Money donated internationally is being distributed as emergency and hardship grants for people forced to leave their home because of damage, or for people with no water, power or sewerage.

Grants are also being given to bereaved or vulnerable people, and to the families of children whose education has been disrupted.

Watch our video to see the difference your donation has made.

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Tags: earthquake, new zealand, New Zealand Earthquake Appeal, video

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 am and is filed under Emergencies, International. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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