Preparation for support

Over 500 offers of accommodation have been made in the Queenstown Lakes District alone, as Otago continues to work on a co-ordinated response to offering Christchurch families’ respite.

With the declaration of New Zealand’s first National Civil Defence Emergency comes the activation of Civil Defence structures across the country including the Queenstown Lakes District.

“As a region our immediate focus is to continue to prepare so that we can offer co-ordinated support. It is important that any assistance is well managed and the Civil Defence structures are in place for this reason,” QLDC Civil Defence controller James Hadley said.

That included Council expertise, resource and support from the community.

“This Council has offered resource in terms of trained emergency response staff with a range of expertise. Those staff are here with bags packed and will only head to Christchurch on request, as and when they are needed,” QLDC chief executive Debra Lawson said.

The Council’s emergency management officer and communications manager were the first to be seconded and would travel to Christchurch today.

Otago controllers agreed this morning to make a single approach to offer accommodation to Cantabrians.
We are formulating a register of accommodation offers from the community, people should contact the Council in the first instance,’ Mr Hadley said.

Cantabrians in need of accommodation should contact the Queenstown i-Site which is co-ordinating immediate accommodation requirements with the assistance of other agencies.
The Council would also be canvassing schools in the district to understand how many children could potentially be placed.

“This is already starting to occur. I know of some children being placed at Arrowtown School and other schools have been proactive on this front,” Mr Hadley said.
“We are receiving clear messages of support from our community who are ready to welcome Cantabrians and offer what they can,” Ms Lawson said.

Meanwhile the following messages had been reiterated:

• Please make monetary donations rather than food, clothing or household goods.
• Please continue to text friends and family at Christchurch rather than call.
• Please call the Council in the first instance to make offers of accommodation Queenstown 03 441 0499 or Wanaka 03 443 0024.

Other Important Information
Queenstown Medical Centre has set up services for those coming from Christchurch in need of medical, counselling and mental health services. This must be co-ordinated by calling 0800 Victim number (0800 842 846).

Donations can be made to:

• Mayoral relief fund at any BNZ branch: Account number 02-0800-084958-000
• Red Cross - visit: www.redcross.org.nz/donate
• Salvation Army: 0800 53 00 00 (Specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’)
• 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