Sarah Stuart-Black: Red Cross Secretary General defends rollout of Cyclone Gabrielle recovery fund - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Red Cross is defending itself from accusations it's not doing enough to help in Hawke's Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle.

It's collected $22 million dollars, but only spent $3.98 million with organisations on the ground.

Some residents are still cleaning up toxic silt with shovels, with funds still unspent.

Red Cross Secretary General, Sarah Stuart-Black, says they're making sure they don't step on any toes.

"One thing that might be worth clarifying is, we're trying to operate where there are gaps and the responsibility for clean-up of silt actually rests with others, local and central Government."

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