As raging bushfires devastate parts of the Australian state Victoria, the Australian Red Cross has mobilised providing first aid and support to victims and emergency services.
According to official figures the bushfires have claimed 181 lives, destroyed at least 750 homes and left more than 330,000 hectares of land burnt out.
The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund, established to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires has been launched by the Victorian Premier John Brumby in partnership with Australia Red Cross and the Federal Government.
Approximately 400 Australian Red Cross volunteers have responded to the disaster and are working throughout Victoria registering the names of people affected, providing meals for emergency services and people in relief centres and delivering first aid to victims of the bushfires as well as emergency service personnel.
For people who cannot establish contact with immediate relatives who may be directly affected by the bushfires please email familylinks@redcross.org.nz or contact your local New Zealand Red Cross office.
New Zealand Red Cross is accepting donations to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund. 100 percent of your donation will go to the appeal fund, New Zealand Red Cross will not deduct any administration, telecommunication or bank fees from your kind donation.
Financial donations can be made by:
• clicking here to make a secure online donation. NB You will automatically receive a tax receipt if you make an online credit card donation (as long as you provide us a valid email address).
• calling 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation. NB: prepaid mobile phones cannot be used to make a donation via the 0900 number.
• a direct credit/internet banking transfer to ASB account 12-3192-0006848-01.
- Please include the name of the campaign (Bushfire) and your name in the details/reference sections.
- If you would like us to send you a receipt for a donation made by direct credit / internet banking please also send us your details so we can trace the donation you have made.
• sending a cheque to Australian Bushfire Appeal, Red Cross House, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144.
• making a donation at any New Zealand Red Cross service centre
New Zealand Red Cross is not seeking volunteers to assist with the bushfires. The Australian Red Cross has asked that people do not make donations of goods. Cash donations are the most effective way to assist in disaster situations such as this.
To download a Restoring Family Links Victorian Bushfire enquiry form click here
Site by Face