A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A year on from Cyclone Gabrielle and the New Zealand Red Cross says all funds from the New Zealand Disaster Fund has been allocated across affected areas.
Including interest earned, a total of $28.5 million has been committed to programmes supporting whānau, families and communities to recover and to preparefor the next emergency.
One-million dollars was spent during the early emergency response, $15 million has been distributed in grants to community organisations, $6 million has been committed to support households through NZ Red Cross’ Home Bundles programme and $6.5 million has been committed to building community resilience.
New Zealand Red Cross Secretary General Sarah Stuart-Black said the work over the past year has not always been easy, or straightforward.
“We focused on finding the gaps, the most vulnerable, and then working with the community organisations, iwi, hapū and local councils best placed to meet their needs. Along the way, we listened and adapted our plans to ensure funds were spent where and when they would do the most good.
“Recovery is still top of mind for many communities. Our Home Bundles Programme, Resilience Programme and psychosocial first-aid courses are continuing to support those most impacted and equip communities better for future emergencies.”
More than $2.6m was allocated across Gisborne and Wairoa, with the largest distribution of $1.1m going to Wairoa Liveable Homes Fund Request Wairoa for liveable homes assessments.
Another large grant included $245,500 for repairs and rebuilding of four marae in Tairāwhiti.
Smaller grants also went towards survival kits and food vouchers for families, infant and maternal care packages for affected families, septic tank cleaning and food parcels and basic needs support for families in Gisborne, as well as civil defence and emergency planning equipment.
The full grants list can be viewed online at tinyurl.com/5ac4wds7
