Following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February 2011, there is a lot of information circulating about the response and recovery. Below are the official information networks which should be used to keep informed.
Many of you may have been asked by friends and family, what they can do to assist the people of Christchurch who have been affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
Over the weekend, the Prime Minister launched the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. This the official means of donating to the people of Christchurch and the recovery effort.
You can help by sharing the link to the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ChristchurchEarthquakeAppeal as widely as you can.
Ministry of Civil Defence:
www.civildefence.govt.nz
Canterbury earthquake civil defence:
www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
Please note that the Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council websites are overloaded and being redirected to the regional earthquake website: www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
The New Zealand Red Cross Person Enquiry Line is now activated.
People in New Zealand concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should call:
0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276)
If you are unable to contact a friend or relative in the Christchurch area, call the Red Cross Person Enquiry Line. Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence.
People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.
People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199.
Affected people can phone:
0800 779 997
Christchurch Airport is open and fully operational for domestic and international flights.
Northlanders are reminded that financial donations – not donated goods or products – are the best way to help those in Canterbury affected by the Christchurch quake.
Many well-intentioned Northlanders are wanting to help and some have already begun collecting donated goods etc outside of official channels.
However, Civil Defence officials are stressing that financial donations are currently the quickest, easiest and only real practical way to help organisations on the ground get exactly what they need.
They simply do not have the logistics to handle donated goods at this stage and while this may change in future, they are specifically asking Northlanders not to send goods at this time.
Donations can be made through any of the below channels.
Red Cross
To make a secure online credit card donation, visit:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate and select "2011 Earthquake Appeal"
If you do not have a credit card:
You can make a direct credit/online transfer (e.g. via internet banking) to ASB account 12-3192-0006848-01.
Please include the name of the appeal "2011 Earthquake Appeal" and your name in the details/reference sections.
If you would like a receipt sent to you for a donation made by direct credit please also send Red Cross your details: http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and offers of volunteers. They do not requiring clothing at this time. To volunteer, phone 04 384 5649.
To donate to the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’:
Freephone:
0800 53 00 00
By Post:
The Salvation Army
PO Box 27 001
Marion Square
WELLINGTON 6141
Donate online:
Please specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’
http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/giving-back/donate-online/disaster-appeals/canterbury-earthquake-appeal/
Donate through your bank
The following banks are also accepting donations.
- Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
- Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
- Any Westpac Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
- Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00
- Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
- Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00
Quake Escape is dedicated to helping victims of the latest Christchurch earthquake find temporary accommodation in this time of need. Over 4,100 offers are currently available, totalling more than 16,500 beds.
Quake Escape is being utilised by HousingNZ on the ground in Christchurch, and the Student Volunteer Army is helping spread the word. The Emergency Hotline staff are also aware of the site and, for those callers who have no alternatives, are searching on their behalf during calls. Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Development are advising all offers of accommodation be registered with Quake Escape.
To find accommodation, or to register available accommodation, visit:
http://www.quakeescape.org.nz/
To use the mobile site, visit:
http://www.quakeescape.org.nz/m/