Global COVID-19 appeal

Currently the situation across Asia and parts of the Pacific is dire. Southeast Asia is now the epicentre of the pandemic, with many countries recording more new cases and deaths now than at any other time in the pandemic.

Families are losing loved ones, livelihoods have been destroyed and healthcare systems are at breaking point.

Right now Australian Red Cross is raising funds to help local Red Cross and Red Crescent teams across the region scale up their emergency response, and continue their life-saving work on the ground.

Your donation helps Australian Red Cross and the Red Cross movement support people who are most vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic.

This includes:

  • Support for our local partners across Asia Pacific and beyond to scale up their emergency activities in response to COVID-19 surges and sustain their essential services such as health, water, sanitation and hygiene services to people and communities into the long term.
  • Continuing our vital services for people in high-risk groups in Australia

Photo Credits: Indian Red Cross

Red Cross COVID - 19 Response

Your donation helps Australian Red Cross and the Red Cross movement support people who are most vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In the unlikely event that the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the emergency needs of people in affected areas, or if there are circumstances beyond Red Cross’ control, excess funds will be directed to support other Red Cross programs.

If you would like to make a donation over the phone, or have any questions regarding our Covid-19 Appeal you can contact us. If you would like more information on our role in emergencies and disasters, both here in Australia and overseas head to our About us page.  

Donations above $2 are tax-deductible. You will receive a receipt by email.

We welcome volunteer support, but we can’t send volunteers overseas to help in an emergency. When we need to send people overseas, we have a roster of skilled aid workers with extensive experience in their field, together with previous international experience, and training in how our emergency operations work.   

To volunteer with Red Cross in Australia, visit redcross.org.au/volunteer to search volunteer opportunities.

We really appreciate the generosity but we’re unable to distribute donated goods, especially overseas.

There are several good reasons for this. Every item has to be checked, cleaned, sorted, packed, transported, stored and distributed, which hugely increases the cost of the relief effort and diverts from work that may be needed on the ground.   

 Also, the items donated aren’t always what people need. But cash helps people make dignified choices that are right for them. Even worse, unwanted boxes of donated goods can clog ports and post offices and actually prevent the delivery of essential items like medicines and relief supplies.  

The website DonateResponsibly.org has a great explanation of what can go wrong.  

 But if you have good-quality clothes or household items, our Red Cross Shops would gratefully accept them, to on-sell in Australia and raise funds for our vital work. Visit redcross.org.au/stores to find your nearest shop.

Australian Red Cross will not deduct more than 10 per cent of money raised to cover indirect administrative and appeal costs such as receipting donations, IT costs, costs to send funds overseas and overheads. Any interest earned on donations will be invested back into the appeal.