NZers believed missing in New Orleans

The family of a young New Zealander trapped in New Orleans in the wake of devastating Hurricane Katrina are increasingly worried about her safety.

Marianne Lynch, 22, had just finished a trip with Camp America and was travelling around the southern United States when the storm hit.

And Newstalk ZB reported fears for two other New Zealanders.

Hundreds, possibly thousands, of people are dead and hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless, while law enforcement agencies seem powerless to help the refugees or control angry mobs looting the ruined city.

Miss Lynch spoke with Newstalk ZB immediately after the disaster and she said she was planning on staying in the city in the meantime.

However, her step-mother, Liz Reid, told the station today that she and her husband were becoming increasingly concerned as they had not heard from Marianne since immediately after the storm.

Communications systems are down with even emergency services within the city unable to communicate with each other.

Ms Reid said the family had thought that if Marianne survived the storm she would be safe -- but they did not realise things would get so much worse.

They planned to contact Foreign Affairs today to find out what they could do.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Emma Reilly, said New Zealand authorities had had no reports of missing people as yet.

"We were contacted by a few worried people initially who have since told us their relatives have made contact," she said.

"We have no one we are worried about at the moment, but we would urge anyone with concerns to contact us."

She said the United States federal government had told foreign governments to pass on details of missing people.

"But as you will be well aware, communications are appalling at the moment....

"I imagine it is very frightening for people waiting for news, who don't know whether they simply can't get contact through, or whether they are in trouble."

Meanwhile a New Zealand-based charity has set up a fund for those wishing to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Christian World Service national director Jonathan Fletcher said New Zealanders could donate to relief and restoration work by phoning 0800 74 73 72.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB