Preparation Saves Lives
Recently, New Zealand Red Cross International Delegate Ellie van Baaren was in the Philippines following a series of devastating disasters. Entire communities were overwhelmed by extreme winds, flooding, and destruction.
When disaster strikes, lives can change in an instant.
The recent disasters in the Philippines claimed hundreds of lives and forced millions of people to evacuate their homes.
New Zealand Red Cross International Delegate Ellie van Baaren witnessed the aftermath firsthand.
“There's a level of shock and devastation from the locals of having lost homes, livelihoods, or even loved ones. The overwhelming feeling that I'm getting from people here is exhaustion and uncertainty about what happens next.”
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Hear from Ellie on how preparation saves lives
What your donation today will support
Across the Pacific and here in New Zealand, disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense. While we cannot stop them, we can reduce their impact by being ready before they strike. That means emergency supplies are in place, teams are trained and ready, and communication systems work even when networks fail.
The next disaster will happen. It is not a question of if, but when. And together, we can be ready.
Whether in crisis, disaster, or conflict, your support helps deliver life-changing assistance to people where the need is greatest – here in New Zealand and around the world.
It is your generosity that makes this possible – helping us be there in moments of crisis, recovery, and rebuilding.
The power of preparation
Typhoon Fung-Wong alone forced over 1.4 million people to flee. But while the impact was severe, it could have been far worse. So what made the difference?
Preparation.
Red Cross teams were able to act early – supporting evacuations and helping families secure their homes with simple shelter strengthening kits made up of ropes and anchors. For Eddie, this meant his home stayed standing. For Lilia, it meant protection during hours of extreme winds. These simple measures helped people stay safer and recover faster.
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Join a community of caring supporters who are there when a disaster strikes, when an elderly or ill neighbour needs a hot meal, when a former refugee family arrives in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In every hour of need, the ongoing support of people who care, is what makes our life-changing humanitarian work possible. So please, turn your compassion into action and become a Humanitarian Partner today.
Frequently asked questions
New Zealand Red Cross is part of the largest humanitarian network in the world. In times of disasters, conflict, and other emergencies, we respond to the needs of vulnerable people around the world. We offer help to people who need it regardless of their cultural, religious, or political affiliations. Following our Fundamental Principles, we assist people during times of disaster, conflict, or emergency in a neutral and impartial way. We support the international community with our International Delegate Programme, our resilience work in the Pacific, fundraising for humanitarian crises overseas, and by helping to restore family links around the world. Learn more about our overseas work.
Making a regular donation is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that relief, care and hope can reach people whose lives have been devastated by disaster or crisis, here and around the world.
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New Zealand Red Cross Incorporated is a registered charity (CC21860), making you eligible for a tax refund of up to a third of your donation. All transactions are billed in New Zealand dollars.
New Zealand Red Cross operates from 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.