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Australians dig deep to help Nepal

Pays
Népal
Sources
ACFID
Date de publication
Origine
Voir l'original

Australians have been extraordinarily generous in helping the people of Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating 25 April earthquake, according to Australia’s peak aid organisation.

“More than $20 million has already been donated to Australian aid organisations working in Nepal,” said ACFID Executive Director, Marc Purcell.

“These donations are vital to help the immediate humanitarian needs of the Nepalese.

The UN has set a target of raising $415 million to help deliver live saving assistance to 8 million people over the next three months alone.

“ACFID welcomes the additional $5 million pledged by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop last Friday to the Nepalese relief effort, bringing the total the Australian Government has committed to $10 million.

“But new development assistance funds to Nepal will be needed to help reconstruct and rebuild homes, schools, community centres and infrastructure in this devastated country. We call on the Australian Government in the upcoming budget, to provide additional support to help rebuild communities left devastated by this earthquake.

"Despite the many operational challenges, ACFID member organisations are reaching affected communities distributing food, water, blankets and shelter, providing medical care, establishing safe spaces for affected and vulnerable children and responding to the needs of people with disabilities.

"ACFID members are also working in coordination with other non-government organisations, UN agencies and the Nepalese Government.

“Many Australians and Australian companies are keen to donate goods like clothing, food, water and machinery to the relief effort. But sending goods in kind to remote overseas locations is costly, complex and can sometimes lead to unintended consequences.

"We strongly encourage members of the public who wish to support the relief effort, that the best way to help is to donate cash to a reputable charitable organisation.

“ACFID members are signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct that commits them to standards of good practice, transparency and accountability and has a public complaints mechanism. Our members proactively inform donors of how they are using donations on the ground.

A full list of ACFID members currently running appeals is available here.

Media contact: Lyn Larkin 0400 343 227