Brief Relief - Getting essential items to refugees abroad

Living in Dresden, Germany with my husband and 2 children has given me a unique opportunity to help directly with the refugees as they move into the nearby camps.

We started with donating second hand clothing and toys and signed up to volunteer in the camps. It was soon obvious that the Red Cross and other agencies involved were very overwhelmed and struggling to sort and distribute the donated goods as well as being able to organise volunteers.

A Monday morning coffee group turned into an idea of making hats and scarves for the children and within a couple of weeks we were delivering 115 boxes to children at one of the camps, each box containing a blanket, a soft toy, soap, nappies, scarves and other warm clothing.

We soon realised if we wanted to help we were best to do it ourselves.

I have had a lot of friends and family in NZ ask what they can do to help when they are so far away and this is why I am organising “Brief Relief”. Cash donations will buy items that the Red Cross will only allow into the camp if they are new.

We will start with ensuring everyone in the camp has at least one change of underwear and continuously assess situation as needs change.

Refugees are flooding into Europe after fleeing the horrors in their own countries. Many have had to flee urgently with only the clothes they were wearing and the few belongings they could carry.

With support from the Whakatane Rotary club, your donation to 'Brief Relief' will go directly to help supply a Refugee adult or child with some of the essential items that they so desperately need.

Second hand clothing has been generously donated by many throughout Europe but new items such as underwear, medical and hygiene supplies are still desperately needed. Even many of those who have made it to the safety of the camps in Germany, weeks later are still without a change of underwear.

The global refugee crisis has stretched resources to the limit and humanitarian organisations are overwhelmed with the need.

Myself a NZ'er living and Germany along with other international and local families can access some of the camps in the German state of Saxony, we are able to assess the needs as they arise and quickly take action.