Irish Red Cross warns of bogus collections for Haiti Appeal

Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross states, “We have very strict protocol for Irish Red Cross collections so as to ensure that every cent raised by the Haiti Appeal goes to those who need it most. If members of the public are in doubt in any way, I would encourage them to ask the people collecting to provide Red Cross identification, and their Garda collection permit, as they will be happy to do so if they are genuine.”

Details of Irish Red Cross protocol for collections can be found below.

However thanks to the generosity of the Irish public, donations to the Irish Red Cross Haiti Appeal launched last Wednesday have now reached over €650,000, allowing the Organisation to send a further €200,000 in emergency aid to the people of Haiti, in addition to contributions made last week.

All funds will go towards providing emergency medical care, clean water and humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.

Mr. Wardick stated, “We are delighted to have reached this total in such a short period of time, allowing us to give more money to the people of Haiti in the wake of this terrible tragedy.”

Donations to the appeal can be accepted online and by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Irish Red Cross protocol for collections

Upon request Red Cross collectors should be able to produce:

• A letter of authorisation from the Irish Red Cross Head Office permitting them to collect on behalf of the Organisation.
• A Garda permit.
• Sealed official Irish Red Cross collection buckets.

No one can collect for the Irish Red Cross without the above documentation, which is posted to collectors to ensure that their address is genuine.

Background

• The earthquake struck on Tuesday (12 Jan) at 12:00 local time, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale shook the capital of Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country, with Haiti’s West Province (pop. 2.2m) most affected.

Notes to Editor

1. Irish Red Cross delegate Will Rogers will be travelling to Haiti to provide assistance on Wednesday (20 Jan) morning and will be operational and available for interview from Thursday (21 Jan) onwards.
2. The Irish Red Cross can provide spokesperson/s on the Haitian earthquake

Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross. (Based in Ireland)

Paul Conneally, (Irish) Head of External Communications, IFRC is currently travelling to Haiti and will be available for interview upon arrival. Tel: 0041 79 308 9809.

Declan O’Sullivan, Acting Secretary General, Irish Red Cross. (Based in Ireland)

How you can help

Donations are being accepted online or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Cheque and postal orders should be marked for the relevant appeal and made payable to:

Irish Red Cross,
16 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.

For media enquiries please contact Ms. Pia Ward on 01 642 4612 or alternatively Mr. David Curtin on 086 - 283 2123 to arrange an interview.