Sharjah24 - Reuters: After the tremendous repair work required after Cyclone Gabrielle tore over the country's north earlier this month, driving thousands of people into shelters and leaving eleven people dead, New Zealand will launch an international fundraising appeal.
The appeal will fund longer term recovery projects and target wealthy expatriates, businesses and anyone with affection for New Zealand, said Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Monday. Facebook owner Meta has offered to promote the appeal, he added.
"One of the things we know from past events is that there are people abroad with very strong connections to New Zealand who want to be able to make a contribution," Hipkins said at a news conference announcing the initiative.
The appeal will be modeled after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake fundraiser, which collected over NZ$94 million ($57.94 million).
Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand's North Island on Feb. 12 and battered roads and bridges, left tens of thousands without power across an area that makes up a third of the country. Police are still searching for 4 missing people.
A national state of emergency, only the third declared in the country's history, will continue in cyclone-hit regions.
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