Robert Tickner, the CEO of Australian Red Cross has embarked on a seven-day trip to tsunami-affected Indonesia to mark the six-month commemoration of the devastating Boxing Day Asia quake and tsunamis which claimed the lives of 200,000 people and left millions homeless in twelve countries on two continents.

This is Mr Tickner's first visit to Indonesia as the head of Australian Red Cross. During his stay, he will meet with Australian Red Cross aid workers in Medan and Banda Aceh as well as visit the island of Nias where Red Cross is working in partnership with Zero to One Foundation, helping to build 254 houses, 9 bridges, 2 schools, 3 clean water supply systems and 1 first aid centre.

Mr Tickner will reiterate the message that the rehabilitation work will take a long time and that the active involvement of affected communities in finding the right solutions for their future is vital to ensure sustainability of the recovery process, and help restore hope as well as dignity of the affected people.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:

Robert Tickner, CEO, Australian Red Cross

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY

Vedran Drakulic
International Communications Manager
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Ian Woolverton
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