Thank you on behalf of all us in Virunga for the money you have donated since we launched our appeal on 28th October for $88,694. As I write we have reached $25,108 - and we have never raised this much money so fast before!
We need to raise $88,694.00 by Thursday 25 November - that is 3 weeks from today - that will cover 2 months of costs during this unprecedented crisis in Virunga, Congo’s Gorilla Park.
The monies are needed for the following:
$21,594.00 - Rations for 177 Refugee Gorilla Rangers
We have 177 Rangers who have been forced to evacuate their posts in Virunga National Park as a direct result of the fighting. Rations cost $2/day per Ranger and include beans, rice, manioc flour, tomato, sugar, salt, coffee and salted fish. So the $21,594.00 total is for 177 Rangers for 61 days.
$61,000.00 - Support for Ranger Families at Camp in Goma
At present we have nearly 1,000 (it was 670 when we launched this appeal) people at the camp in Goma that was initially set up on 8 October after the fighting started. These are the wives of Gorilla Rangers and the children of Gorilla Rangers. We are providing food, clean water, sanitation and basic medical. It costs about $1/day per person - and we need provisions for at least 2 months, ie 61 days, which gives us the $61,000 total.
$6,100.00 - Medical Supplies for the Rangers
We must also provide for medical supplies for the 177 Rangers. These medical supplies will include treatments for malaria, fever, and diarrhea. The cost of these supplies is $100/day for all the Rangers. 61 days at $100/day gives us the $6,100.00 total.
Thank you for your comments, awareness-raising, Internet links, donations and continued support. We could not do this without your help.
Thank you also to Wildlife Conservation Society who has pledged $10,000 toward the crisis in Virunga.
3 Responses to “Over $25,000 Raised So Far For Appeal”
Great job guys. I know you’re busy and it’s chaotic over there but don’t give up. Were poised to help you from WildlifeDirect. I sent an email earlier today about this. Stay safe.
Reading the posts from this blog makes me very emotional and I wish there was more I could do to help.
You guys who are there, helping protect these magnificent creatures, are true hero’s.
Rangers and field team members, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
[...] have now raised over $30,000 toward the appeal. A wonderful [...]