Red Cross donates $1.1m to Wairoa

Well-earned: Claude Paul, Patrick Edwards and Ricky Paul enjoy a break during the clean-up after Wairoa River breached its banks and flooded houses, leaving behind huge amounts of silt and sediment. The Red Cross has contributed $1.1 million to help Wairoa’s recovery. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

More than $1 million from the New Zealand Disaster Fund is being provided to people living in Wairoa to help them to recover from the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The $1.1 million contribution to the Wairoa District Council-led Liveable Homes Fund will helpi individuals and whānau living in yellow-stickered homes to restore their homes to a safe and liveable standard, New Zealand Red Cross secretary general Sarah Stuart-Black said.

“Across all the areas affected by recent severe weather and the cyclone, our approach is to focus on supporting solutions led by the local community so our help has the most impact.

“This devastating weather event will impact the people of Wairoa for years to come. We can help to ease that burden thanks to the generosity of all those who donated to the NZ Disaster Fund.

”The contribution makes up around one quarter of the Liveable Homes Fund and will support needs not met by insurance or other existing funds. It is dedicated to septic tank cleaning, reticulated plumbing, reinstatement of home heating and essential bathroom and electrical repairs.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said getting Wairoa whānau back into liveable homes as soon as possible was a priority.

“Through the generosity of this funding, and all the people who donated to this fund, we will be able to support local families to bring their homes up to a safe and liveable standard.

“We are tremendously appreciative that the Red Cross has recognised Wairoa’s needs and assisted us, and that so many New Zealanders have contributed to this fund. Thank you everyone.”

There is no requirement for individuals to apply to the Liveable Homes Fund, as funds will be allocated through the building inspection process led by the council.

Wairoa is one of many affected communities with which New Zealand Red Cross is working.

“We are working with communities and organisations across affected areas to understand their needs. Around 1800 of our own people live in these communities, so for us, there is a very real personal connection,” Ms Stuart-Black said.

“We know we can help and are committed to doing so. We also know that needs in each community are different. The way we offer support will reflect this.

“We are taking the time to understand what each community needs and to work with them on tailored support packages.

“Over coming weeks we will be allocating more funding to support affected communities.”

The contribution brings the total committed from the $18 million contributed to the New Zealand Red Cross New Zealand Disaster fund to $1.975 million.

In addition to working directly with councils and iwi leaders, New Zealand Red Cross is finalising criteria for an application process that will enable groups, and organisations to directly apply for funding to support their community.