Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Donate to support flood recovery
Stuff is putting out the call for New Zealanders to rally behind the communities of the top of the South Island, who face ‘‘years’’ of recovery in the wake of the August floods.
With various disasterresponse measures in full swing, the region’s mayors have set up relief funds to support people and businesses facing personal hardship as a result of the floods, which started on August 17.
Emergency relief agencies such as the Red Cross are also seeking public donations to help fund their costs in supporting those with immediate needs arising from the floods and hundreds of slips which have devastated swathes of Nelson city, Tasman district, Golden
Bay and Marlborough.
Civil Defence officials in Nelson have said that the most pressing need is for cash, rather than donations of clothing, food and similar goods.
TO DONATE
Nelson-Tasman Mayoral Relief Fund - https://shape. nelson.govt.nz/mayor-relief-fund
Marlborough Mayoral Relief Fund - https://www. marlborough.govt.nz/yourcouncil/latest-news-notices-andmedia-releases/media-releases? item=id:2j66wjvow1cxbyhlljoq
New Zealand Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org.nz/ donate - donate to ‘‘where the need is greatest’’; the current focus is the top of the south flood relief.
Meanwhile, Ministry of
Social Development Civil Defence Payments have been activated for the Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough weather event.
‘‘Financial assistance from MSD via Civil Defence payments is available to support people,’’ says MSD regional commissioner, Craig Churchill.
‘‘People don’t have to be on a benefit to qualify for a Civil Defence payment, and it is not income or asset tested,’’ Churchill said.
‘‘If you live in the top of the South Island and you’ve been impacted by flooding or slips from the weather events of the last few days, please call 0800 559 009 or visit your nearest Work and Income Service Centre,’’ he said.
MSD Work and Income case managers are also on hand at the information centre to provide information and advice but cannot process payments there.
The information centre moved from the Trafalgar Centre to the iSite building.