Embargoed until: 00.01 Wednesday 13
th
October 2010
Everything we do is a disaster: Children's Emergency Fund launched
New poll shows Australians support children’s emergency fund
Twice as many Australians believe a children’s emergency fund is a better way of saving
children’s lives in natural disasters than launching emergency appeals after disaster strikes,
according to a new poll released by Save the Children.
The findings were released today to mark International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction,
and the launch of the Children's Emergency Fund.
The move to launch the Children’s Emergency Fund ensures Save the Children always has
the resources in place before disaster strikes in order to save the lives of children
immediately.
Save the Children’s Director of Emergencies Mike Penrose said, “It takes a few hours to load
a cargo plane with $100,000 of life-saving aid. But it can take weeks to raise the funds
needed – time we don’t have in the race to save lives.”
“With a children’s emergency fund we have the resources in place before disaster strikes.
That means we can save the lives of children immediately.”
Save the Children surveyed 1,000 people on the best way to help children affected by
disaster. The findings include:
55 per cent of Australians polled believed the best way to aid children affected by
disaster was to establish an emergency fund
25 per cent of Australians polled believed the best way to help children was to
launch an appeal after the disaster occurred
20 per cent said they didn’t know the best way to help children affected by disaster
The Children's Emergency Fund gives people the option to make a regular, or one off
donation to help children affected by disaster.
“We’re asking the Australian community to donate a regular monthly amount to our
Children’s Emergency Fund. That way we always have the resources in place to protect
children and their families in times of natural disaster,” added Mr Penrose.
Save the Children launches ‘Earthquake Response’ – the world’s first disaster response
game App for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch freely available now at iTunes.
For more information call Ian Woolverton on 0408 00 11 67
NEWS 
