Published: 23 February 2011
The New Zealand Red Cross has mobilized staff and volunteers from across the country in response to the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which hit the Canterbury area on Tuesday, causing widespread devastation to Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 5km about 10km southeast of Christchurch. The death toll has reached 75 and is expected to rise as approximately 300 people remain missing. The New Zealand Red Cross responded immediately after the quake struck, providing first aid assistance as well as distributing blankets and water to people housed in evacuation shelters set up across the city.
Working with the civil defence, New Zealand police and local councils and agencies, the Red Cross response is being coordinated by its National Emergency Operations Centre in Wellington which is operational 24 hours a day. Eight Red Cross emergency response teams have been mobilized to the affected area to provide logistical support, help run welfare centers and assist in urban search and rescue.
There are 65 trained Red Cross emergency management personnel currently already on the ground in Christchurch. 1800 blankets, 2000 water containers and 200 tents have been dispatched from Auckland and the Red Cross is also helping people reach their loved ones through its restoring family links service.
A telecommunications team is being deployed to Christchurch and will be operational today. The Australian Red Cross has also sent a team of experienced aid workers to Christchurch to support the New Zealand Red Cross response teams on the ground. On its part, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur is coordinating closely with the New Zealand Red Cross and has offered logistics assistance if required.
The quake has caused many injuries and widespread damage including collapsed buildings in the centre of the city and damage to roads, bridges, sewage lines as well as water supply systems.
The “New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal” has been launched to support those affected by the earthquake.
Donations to this appeal can be made at www.redcross.org.nz/donate or
http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/.
The Australian Red Cross has also launched a national appeal. More information can be obtained at www.redcross.org.au
For enquiries about missing people contact the Call Centre on 0800 RED CROSS from within New Zealand.
From outside New Zealand people should call: +64 7 850 2199 or email familylinks@redcross.org.nz
Get the latest update on the Red Cross response to the New Zealand earthquake by visiting www.redcross.org.nz or by following the New Zealand Red Cross Twitter and Facebook feeds at: www.facebook.com/NewZealandRedCross and www.twitter.com/nzredcross
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: New Zealand Red Cross: Michael Gillies-Smith, Media Liaison, for New Zealand Red Cross Tel: +61 448 571 484
Paul Scoringe, National and Communications Manager, New Zealand Red Cross, Tel: +64 4 495 0139 or +64 27 287 9335, Email: paul.scoringe@redcross.org.nz
IFRC: Patrick Fuller, Asia Pacific zone communications manager: Tel: +60 12 230 8451, Email: patrick.fuller@ifrc.org