4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term.
5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
6. Find out how prospective grantees operate.
7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
8. Communicate your work widely, and use it as an educational tool.
Responding to the Earthquake in New Zealand
Last Updated: June 23, 2011
Here is the latest roundup of information for grantmakers in the U.S. seeking to give to relief efforts in the wake of the New Zealand earthquake. For questions, or to provide information on disaster grantmaking efforts you are aware of please contact Andrew Ho, manager, global philanthropy, at disasterresponse@cof.org
New Zealand has launched a major international appeal, led by Prime Minister John Key, seeking support for the earthquake in Christchurch. For more information go to http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/.
Currently, the Red Cross local support (New Zealand and Australia) is being accepted; however, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has not posted an international appeal. Therefore, the American Red Cross has not been asked for assistance and is not able to accept designated contributions for the disaster.
Resources for donors in the United States:
The Council’s United States International Grantmaking site on disaster grantmaking has many resources on this topic, including for corporate foundations/giving programs and community foundations.
Give2Asia is available to answer questions on how to set up a donor advised fund to give to New Zealand. For questions, feel free to contact Gillian Yeoh, Senior Program Officer at Give2Asia at 415 743 3371 or gyeoh@give2asia.org.
From Linda Griffith, Give2Asia Advisor, based in New Zealand, as of Wednesday 23 February:
You would have heard about yesterday's earthquake in Christchurch NZ at busy lunchtime. Many are still trapped and the death toll, currently at 65, will rise significantly. Christchurch, the garden city and city of churches, has been ruined. Many suburbs are unliveable and the worst damage was in the CBD. Many heritage 19th century churches and even the famous cathedral are in ruins. The quake was far worse than the quake last September as it was only 5 kms underground. Much of the rebuilding following the September devastation is now ruined. A serious problem is liquefaction (we do not have this in Australia) where sediment deep underground swirls up and covers the land, trapping cars, ruining homes and streets - you can see giant whirlpools of matter in the CBD. Many buildings have been totally ruined. For example, the 7 storey Canterbury TV building was flattened to ground level like a pancake with scores of people inside. One building that was flattened had a creche in the basement. People who were not injured but were in the city took hours to struggle through knee deep sewage to escape the city. Of course, water is in scarce supply and fires are breaking out, and in addition telecommunications are of course severely damaged.
Rescue teams swung into action immediately and private people were running in to rescue survivors and pull out bodies. The city quickly ran out of ambulances and so people were using doors and so on as stretchers and driving strangers to hospital in their 4 WDs and station wagons. Australia sent a search and rescue specialist team immediately and 2 more went this morning. The US and Japan has sent specialist personnel and Taiwan has offered services. Christchurch accounts for 15% of NZ's GDP and coming on top of the September destruction this will impact very negatively on NZ. The NZ and Australian dollar straight away dropped.
