Australians have donated more than $14 million to help those in need in the 12 days since catastrophic floods and landslides hit communities in Nepal and China, following an editorial push by major publishers.
The Emergency Action Alliance (EAA), a group of leading NGOs, said the Australian public and major corporates, trusts and foundations to its Joint Appeal have now passed $5 million.
Together with $4 million in donations raised individually by the 13 participating Alliance members and the $5m contribution by the Federal Government, the total raised by the appeal is now $14 million.
The joint appeal has received significant editorial support across the media ABC, SBS, Commercial TV and Radio and Major Publishers.
EAA Executive Director Kerren Morris said that the people of Nepal have been heartened by the humanity on display by the Australian public.
“Australia and Nepal are two countries who are deeply connected,” said Kerren Morris, Executive Director of the Emergency Action Alliance. “The past 12 days have seen that bond grow as tens of thousands of ordinary Aussies have donated generously to help those impacted by this tragedy.”
The charities who responded to the emergency as part of the Joint Appeal are: Save the Children Australia, Plan International Australia, Oxfam Australia, ActionAid Australia, CARE Australia, Caritas Australia, ADRA, Act For Peace, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid Australia, CBM Australia, and Tearfund Australia.
Entire communities have been impacted as floodwaters and landslides swept through remote mountainous areas, destroying homes, roads, bridges and critical infrastructure. Almost 5000 people are missing as search and rescue efforts continue, while thousands more remain in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, medical assistance and other essential supplies.
Morris said pooling resources into a single, trusted appeal was the most effective way to ensure help reached those who needed it.
“When Australians give through the Joint Appeal, they can be confident their donation is going to organisations with a genuine, longstanding presence in the region – 13 of our 15 member agencies are already responding on the ground right now.”
