Tsunami appeals pass $4m and more on way

New Zealanders' cash donations to tsunami disaster relief agencies passed the $4 million mark yesterday, and the total is expected to grow when the holiday mail backlog is cleared and churches' weekend collections are banked.

Agencies said they were overwhelmed by the generosity of donors, which would be boosted by the Government's offer to match public donations up to a maximum of $4 million.

"This is the biggest response we've had to an appeal," said Adventist Development & Relief administrator Belynda Herbert.

Unicef New Zealand director Dennis McKinlay said: "There's been initial enthusiasm but I think the giving will go on for a while yet."

A sense of urgency gripped volunteers yesterday as they packed freight containers with clothes, food and household items for shipment to disaster victims in India and Sri Lanka.

"We must have all this ready to go by the end of the week because cargo space will be limited after then," said Rotary aid organiser Harish Bajaj at an Auckland collection depot - the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Newton.

Mr Bajaj said Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines had offered free freight for medicines and other aid goods carried before the start of their peak season for cargo.

"We want the people to get cracking and bring in their goods.

"It's hoped to get three to four containers away this week."

Mr Bajaj said the project of the Rotary Club of Auckland City Sunrise was to deliver aid to sister Rotary clubs in India and Sri Lanka for distribution.

"My talks with people there suggest there is still a great need for food."

Cathay Pacific marketing manager Ian Herald said the season for cherry fruit cargo would peak about the middle of the month and would restrict the amount of space for aid goods.

However, he understood the airline was arranging for a freighter aircraft to join the route between Colombo and Hong Kong.

Appeals so far

Red Cross $2.5 million

Christian World Service $65,000

Oxfam $380,000

TEAR fund $300,000

World Vision $900,000

Save the Children $60,000

Caritas $65,000

Unicef $100,000

Adventist Development & Relief Agency $50,000

APN appeal: figure not available from Telecom.