Cricket makes contribution for Vanuatu cyclone victims

The World Cup is being held at Australia and New Zealand

Wellington, March 19 (IANS) Following the recent natural catastrophe caused by Cyclone Pam which ravaged the island nation of Vanuatu, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday said it will offer support through charity partner Unicef at the next two World Cup quarter-finals.

The next two of the last eight matches will be played between Australia and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval and New Zealand versus West Indies at the Wellington Regional Stadium. The ICC alongside co-hosts Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will jointly contribute $200,000 to support Unicef in its aid and recovery programmes in the region.

In addition, ICC will provide promotional opportunities through advertising at these marquee fixtures as a platform to launch an appeal to the international community to lend its support to the Pacific island.

"It is hard not to be affected by the horrific images which have emanated from Vanuatu in recent days," ICC chief executive David Richardson said.

"Having recently supported the area as part of ICC's development programme in the eastern Asia-Pacific region through significant investment in the island's cricket facilities which have been severely damaged, the ICC has taken these steps to give back to the game and support the people in the region at this challenging time.

"The ICC is appealing to the international community to donate whatever it can to help the people of Vanuatu get back on their feet. Any donation over the coming days and weeks, however large or small, would be gratefully received."