The Navy Blues have enjoyed strong relationships with the football and business communities in Vanuatu over the past ten years and also worked extensively with the Butterfly Trust to deliver education programmes in schools in the outer islands.
More than 3,300 people have sought refuge at relief centres throughout Vanuatu with the full extent of the damage, particularly in the outer islands, yet to be fully assessed.
Auckland City FC chairman Ivan Vuksich said the Navy Blues would formulate a considered approach in collaboration with the Butterlfy Trust over the next few days.
“We’ve had a strong presence in Vanuatu over the last few years donating football kit to local communities in Port Vila and the outer islands so to see such devastation is concerning for everyone at our club.
“The Butterfly Trust does sterling work in schools throughout Vanuatu and whenever we’ve played in Port Vila, we’ve always enjoyed a big following and a great relationship with local businesses.
“We’re putting together a cash donation, along with replacement football kits, to be distributed by the Butterfly Trust, which we hope in some small way can offer some relief to those affected,” Vuksich said.
Auckland City FC’s growing rivalry with Vanuatu side Amicale has become a regular feature of the OFC Champions League and, more recently, the OFC President’s Cup.
“Amicale, and their nearest rivals Tafea FC, have led the way for Vanuatu club football in recent seasons and when we last visited Port Vila for the OFC Champions League final first leg, played in front of 10,000 supporters.
“The people of Vanuatu are passionate and knowledgable about their football and you only need to see how close Amicale have pushed ourselves in recent times to get a feel for those qualities.
“To see Vanuatu in such a state of devastation is troubling and whatever small contribution Auckland City FC can make to assist with the rebuild and recovery, we will,” Vuksich said.
Auckland City FC and Amicale have met three times in grand final football, twice in the OFC Champions League and once in the OFC President’s Cup, the Navy Blues winning the last two by a single goal.
In the recent past, Auckland City FC has donated match day-raised funds for the Butterfly Trust to use towards various education projects in Vanuatu that included contributions towards school fees, building a library, outfitting electricity in classrooms and organising doctors to provide training to local nurses.
Butterfly Trust’s David Colbert said donations were vital to sparking recovery as the full extent of the damage unfolds.
“The Butterfly Trust will be on the ground in Vanuatu aiding the relief effort. Possible activities include helping to rebuild school and medical facility infrastructure, enabling students to keep attending school, facilitating medical support and providing health and educational supplies.
“We would greatly appreciate your help by either donating money, or clothes and shoes for men, women and children,” Colbert said.
With Auckland City FC playing arch-rivals Waitakere United in the ASB Premiership semi-finals over the next two weeks, the Navy Blues will also be collecting gold coin donations on behalf of the Butterfly Trust at their home leg on Sunday 29 March 2015.
For further details on how to donate to the Vanuatu relief effort via Auckland City FC or The Butterfly Trust visit www.aucklandcityfc.com