Save the Children NZ Launches Emergency Appeal for Children in Kyrgyzstan

Save the Children New Zealand has launched an emergency appeal to assist children and families displaced by the growing conflict in Kyrgyzstan, CEO Liz Gibbs announced today. We want to raise NZ$100,000 towards Save the Children International’s global fundraising target of US$5million, she said.

‘Save the Children International’s team is working on the ground in southern Kyrgyzstan at the centre of the conflict. They have launched a world-wide appeal targeting US$5million. We have already committed $25,000 towards the fund and we’re calling on New Zealanders’ generosity to help us meet our target of $100,000 that will go towards much needed assistance to the children and families caught up in the crisis.’

Save the Children International started working in Central Asia in 1992. For the last 10 years, it has had an office based in Osh, which is at the centre of the conflict.

‘Our team on the ground there is working at a provincial level to provide much needed supplies to families and children who have been displaced,’ said Ms Gibbs.

‘According to our reports, this is the most severe humanitarian crisis in Central Asia in recent decades with up to 400,000 people displaced, 50 percent of whom are children. There are urgent needs for food, household-hygiene and other relief items, emergency health care, child protection including psychological support, education and the restoration of livelihoods. We want to do what we can to help by raising funds and we appeal to New Zealanders to help us.

‘New Zealanders wishing to donate to help support can visit our website, www.savethechildren.org.nz or call our donation line 0800 167 168, Ms Gibbs said.