Special Earthquake Update

Once again, our great city of Christchurch has been hit by another earthquake, but this time its wrath has been more devastating with the number of lives lost reaching hundreds.  Like many of you, seeing first hand the damage to peoples’ homes, their livelihood, the schools where their kids go to, the local shops where they did their grocery shopping cannot in any way compare to what those who have lost loved ones or are still waiting to hear the fate of someone they know are going through.  Our thoughts are with them. 

I have spent the last week digging through silt with the Student Army, helping to clear the liquefaction from my family’s homes and those of constituents who have asked for help delivering food and water and getting key information to people to help you.  Despite the enormity of the disaster people’s spirit has not wavered.  This Cantabrian fighting spirit is what will pull us through so that we will rebuild Christchurch better and stronger for generations to come.  The eastern suburbs have been again cruelly hit hard and many as I write this are still without the basics of life with no power, water or sewers, let alone whether their homes are undamaged.

What you need to know

Government helpline, 24 hours a day: 0800 779 997  

Missing persons helpline: 0800 733 276 (0800 REDCROSS)

For up-to-date information go to www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz 

Welfare Centres: call the Government Helpline to find the centre nearest you, or visit www.msd.govt.nz/emergency/welfare-centres-feb-2011.html

Water: is available from a number of sites, mainly schools in the area. For a list of locations and times, visit www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz/

Schools: The Ministry website at www.minedu.govt.nz will be constantly updated with information on school openings.  At this point, 18 schools are badly damaged including Shirley Boys High, Avonside Girls, Burwood, Freeville and North New Brighton. Others are likely to open once power and water is operating.

Please keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only. If you need an ambulance, dial 111.

Health: Healthline (24 hours): 0800 611 116.  Canterbury DHB, St John and others have staff at the welfare centres providing support for stress or anxiety issues.  See http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/christchurch-earthquake for latest health services information. 

Ministry of Social Development – assistance

As well as Work and Income information centres open at various sites, see www.msd.govt.nz/emergency/index.html, Work and Income has seven mobile vans going directly to people in the hardest hit suburbs of Christchurch to provide advice and support as well as financial assistance.

Sites at Ashburton, Hornby, Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Riccarton have been open since Wednesday. With a further two sites opening yesterday in Shirley (203-205 Hills Road) and Linwood (154 Aldwins Road) and a mobile site at Wainoni Park, Aranui.

For financial assistance go to

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/canterbury-earthquake/index.html#Emergencyassistance2

Child, Youth and Family

All Child, Youth and Family clients can call 0508 FAMILY (0508 326459).

Housing

Housing New Zealand tenants with questions about rent relief, quake damage to homes should phone 0800 801 601 or go to www.hnzc.co.nz

Housing New Zealand is providing a temporary accommodation matching service for people displaced by the Canterbury earthquake. This is in addition to its normal business as part of the Civil Defence response.

Housing New Zealand will manage nationwide offers of accommodation on behalf of the civil defence effort.

If you have accommodation you can offer, or you are looking for help with accommodation following the earthquake, please contact 0800 HELP 00 (0800 435 700), www.housinghelp.govt.nz or see HNZ staff at one of the welfare centres.

Earthquake Commission

If your home is damaged, please call EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) to lodge a claim

EQC insurance covers emergency repairs around safety, weathertightness, and habitability; for example, damage to sewerage and water systems, holes in roofs and damaged chimneys.

Homeowners with general house insurance are automatically covered by EQC’s natural disaster insurance. Claimants have up to three months from the date of the event to lodge a claim.

Regards,

Aaron Gilmore

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