Rio Tinto to donate $250,000 to Red Cross ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie relief efforts

Rio Tinto will donate A$250,000 to Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery to support communities devastated by flooding and the impact of cyclone Debbie.

Rio Tinto Australia’s Managing Director Joanne Farrell said the donation would assist families and whole communities to recover from the destructive effects of the cyclone and flooding that followed.

Ms Farrell said "We have made this contribution to help ensure that people struggling in the aftermath of the cyclone are able to rebuild their lives now and for months to come. This devastating event has hit very close to home for many of our employees and their families.

"We receive so much support from local communities surrounding our coal and aluminium operations in Queensland. We are grateful to have the opportunity to give something back to the people who make our business a success."

Rio Tinto has bauxite, coal, alumina and aluminium operations in regional Queensland including Mackay and Gladstone. The company’s Growth & Innovation business is headquartered in Brisbane.

About Australian Red Cross

Red Cross is helping people cope with floods in Queensland and northern New South Wales following the cyclone.

More than 200 Red Cross people have been working at evacuation centres and recovery hubs in north and central Queensland since the cyclone hit.

All donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery will help their work in communities affected by cyclone Debbie and floods in Queensland and New South Wales. It will help relief teams get into evacuation and recovery centres to reconnect families who have been separated and go door-to-door to offer information and support. It will also ensure they are there to support communities with their long term recovery.

For more information or to donate please visit redcross.org.au or call 1800 811 700.