Disaster Preparedness & Response Appeal

When disaster strikes, speed of response is essential. Blankets, tents, medicines, food, water, sanitation are needed immediately. Quick action can help prevent the spread of disease - stopping a disaster becoming a catastrophe. Red Cross can also help people be better prepared before disaster strikes; strengthening communities to limit the damage, helping them get back on their feet quicker. Nobody can predict the exact location of the next flood, earthquake or bushfire but by supporting our Disaster Preparedness & Response Appeal, you can help us to be ready to respond in advance. You can help restore lives and help people better cope the next time disaster strikes, in Australia or overseas.

This young Fijian boy receives clothes for his family from Red Cross.

Support the Disaster Preparedness & Response Appeal by making a secure on-line donation, or using one of our other donation methods listed to the right.

Help us strengthen communities to protect against disaster

Red Cross works with communities overseas to help them be better prepared when disaster strikes. For example, through education programs to provide training that assists communities to identify and develop their own emergency plans, as well as practical projects to improve local preparation. Where needed, Red Cross will now use this expertise to assist Australian communities.

Building sea walls to protect houses and land at risk in Fiji.

Help us have emergency supplies ready on the ground

Red Cross can be prepared for overseas emergencies by stocking containers or warehouses of vital supplies ready to distribute immediately in an emergency -- supplies such as water, tarpaulins, ropes, buckets and even chain saws for clearing trees and debris. From key distribution points this enables Red Cross to move quickly to help the victims of disasters in places often made inaccessible by cyclones and floods.

Wherever possible Red Cross sources emergency relief materials from within the community or country affected by the disaster. This has a doubly positive affect -- first, it means that every dollar raised in Australia will generally go further in the affected country, and second, purchasing goods locally contributes to rebuilding disaster-affected economies.

In Australia Red Cross can prepare by having essential equipment across the country to help reunite families separated in a disaster and to support people in the immediate aftermath. Help us ensure our volunteers are ready to respond When disaster strikes, Red Cross calls on the skills and experience of a network of volunteers and aid workers located on the ground in Australia and overseas. Making sure they have the necessary equipment, training, support and clothing is vital in ensuring we can deploy people quickly and efficiently

$127 can provide a Red Cross volunteer with the material needed to respond to an emergency or natural disaster in Australia.

How your donation will be used

Donations to the Disaster Preparedness and Response Appeal will be used in Australia and overseas to:

• help better prepare communities before disaster strikes
• help reunite people separated in a disaster
• provide practical and emotional support to people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster
• help communities recover from disasters

You can help ensure Red Cross is able to recruit, train, equip and support volunteers and aid workers for this vital work in Australia and overseas.

In the event there is any excess of appeal funds when this appeal is closed these funds will be used to respond to a disaster in Australia or overseas. No more than 10% of donations will be spent on appeal administration costs.

How your support can make a difference

$1425	2-day training for volunteers (15 participants) on first aid, disaster preparedness and prevention
$420	can provide disaster supplies for five families in the Pacific Islands - 18 men, women and children
$127	can provide a Red Cross volunteer with the material needed to support people when an emergency or natural disaster occurs in Australia.

Please support the Disaster Preparedness & Response Appeal by making a secure on-line donation now.