Australian Red Cross Raises $3m for Asian Disaster Victims

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 30 Dec 2004 - 1:00 PDT

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Thanks to the generosity of the general public, Australian Red Cross has so far raised more than $3 million in pledges for the people affected by the devastating Asian earthquake and subsequent tsunamis. The disaster has killed at least 70,000 people, and displaced many thousands more.

Australian Red Cross joined the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies-launched appeal on Monday December 27th, and as Dale Cleaver, Secretary General of Australian Red Cross explains, the response to the appeal has exceeded expectations. 'Already we have received more than $3 million in pledged donations. This is tremendous and the Red Cross is extremely grateful to everybody who has supported our appeal so far.'

The response from Red Cross has been swift and large-scale.

'As well as the provision of basic necessities including food, water, shelter and first-aid, the Federation is deploying teams of international delegates, including Australians. Highly specialised emergency response units have been mobilised to meet the needs in water and sanitation, relief, basic health care and logistics across the region', adds Mr Cleaver. 'A major priority is to reduce the spread of disease amongst those affected.'

'With more and more reports of people injured and killed emerging from this terrible disaster, it is clearly still the emergency phase of the operation for the aid workers. A great deal of work is still left to be done to alleviate the suffering on the ground', said Mr Cleaver.

The funds raised so far have already assisted Australian Red Cross to deploy two humanitarian workers to the disaster-affected countries of Sri Lanka and Indonesia, one of which, Caroline Dunn, leaves Australia later today.

To Donate to the Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal:
-- Call (Australia) 1800 811 700
-- visit http://www.redcross.org.au to make a secure online donation
-- donate at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank
-- send a cheque to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city

Available for interview:
Dale Cleaver - Acting Secretary General, Australian Red Cross

Media contacts:
Pete Haydon - Media Advisor, National Programs
Phone: 03 9345 1855
Mobile: 0417 351 485
Email: phaydon@redcross.org.au

Susie Chippendale
Communications Officer
Phone: 03 9345 1868
Mobile: 0408 335 296
MAKE A SECURE DONATION

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