Red Cross gets reinforcements

Clare Shave of New Zealand Red Cross arrived yesterday to help Cook Islands Red Cross with administrative and logistical issues surrounding the Aitutaki relief effort.

She is conducting on-the-job training with local staff and will be here until Monday.

Two volunteers – one from Atiu and one from Mitiaro – are also teaming up with Red Cross to re-build Aitutaki. They will be joining Cook Islands Red Cross workers and an Australia Red Cross water sanitation expert in Aitutaki within the next couple of days.

Red Cross secretary general Niki Rattle said that the outpouring of help and support from Cook Islands and overseas communities has been overwhelming.

“It’s been a wonderful multi-sector approach with everybody collaborating,” she said. “There a lot of help out there – people are really willing to support in any way they can.” - RR