CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKES
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012
RECOVERY TIMELINE
JUNE 2012 §§ First Winter Warmer packs distributed. §§ Youth digital recovery resource approved by Board.
last six months
February 2012 §§ 1 year anniversary of February 22 earthquake. §§ Civic earthquake awards for Red Cross and Stephen Manson.
September 2010 §§ Magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
MARCH 2012
MAY 2012
§§ Mobility vouchers distribution begins.
§§ National Disaster Response Team selected and kitted out.
February 2011 july 2012
§§ Magnitude 6.3 earthquake.
§§ 19,962 torch radios distributed as at July 1st.
April 2012
february 2012
January 2012
§§ Bereaved family support groups start. §§ Recovery communications plan finalised.
§§ Winter assistance grant, year 2 approved.
§§ Recruitment drive for outreach volunteers. Front cover photo, left to right: Lisa Collins, Jamie Collins, and Missy Sonnenberg of Bishopdale with their Winter Warmer packs during an early winter snowfall.
CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKES
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012
page 4
page 10
page 12
page 13
Contents sir john hansen elizabeth mcnaugHton grants recipients open grants february 22 anniversary
2 3 4 6 10
Recovery programme australian red cross Recovery communications the next six months financial update
11 18 19 20 21
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
chair of new zealand red cross earthquake commission
Sir John Hansen
Our terms do not allow us to distinguish between rich and poor or insured versus uninsured, and while the scale of this disaster means we can’t solve all problems and issues, I personally believe our grants have been very important to many people.
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY GROUP KEY STATISTICS AS AT 1 JULY 2012
125
$
All the feedback and stories we have received show this, and I am hopeful we have made a difference.
$
It has been a great privilege for me personally to serve on the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Commission for the last 16 months.
I have enjoyed the chance to work and cooperate with folk from Red Cross, local authorities, the two main political parties, and other agencies.
$
The earthquakes in Canterbury in September 2010 and February 2011 have been New Zealand’s greatest natural disaster, and to be able to assist in any small way has been special.
I’ve also participated in more media coverage than I like or am used to, but the media has been extremely supportive.
$
Where I live has been fortunate enough to miss the worst effects. However, I know dozens of people personally who have lost homes, or have damage ranging from extreme to minor. These associations have assisted my insight. The generosity of those who donated to the appeal has been staggering, and working through how to distribute the funds has been a very big responsibility, and one all the Commission members have not taken lightly. I am proud of the cooperative and collaborative way members of the Commission have worked together. There has not always been total agreement, but a consensus has always been reached. We have never lost sight of the fact the Earthquake Commission was set up to disburse earthquake appeal money to those who need it most.
Our challenges now are to work through the existing grants, many of which, like the second round of the Bereavement Grant, have funds ringfenced until people are in a position to apply. We are also working hard on determining what further grants we can make, with the knowledge that there is great need out there. It is my hope that the Commission will be able to conclude its work by the end of this calendar year. Allocating all the appeal funds and winding up the Commission will be, in my view, a sign of our success.
Sir John Hansen Chair of the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission
Red Cross Earthquake Commission Sir John Hansen (chair) Roger Blair Barry Corbett
Lianne Dalziel Jane Huria Michael McEvedy
Paul Steere Jerry Talbot Nicky Wagner
New Zealand Red Cross would like to thank Commission members, who are all volunteers, for their valuable work
69
5
million in grants distributed
million – spent on programmes
30
7
$
million raised
million – committed grant funding
million – committed recovery programmes
14
$
million – grants and programmes under development
80,000
grants recipients
1,120
outreach visits
2,189
door knocks
19,962
torch radios handed out
475
winter warmer packs
167
mobility assistance vouchers
62
volunteers
Full financial table – page 21.
2 | CONNECT CARE PREPARE
National Recovery Manager
national president
elizabeth mcnaughton By waka, ship or air we have all come from pioneering stock. New Zealand Red Cross, like many Cantabrians, has had to call on this pioneering spirit over the last 18 months as we embarked on recovery work for the first time. I am proud of the significant work our Recovery team has so far done to assist Cantabrians. In six months our community outreach programme has reached 1,120 people, we’ve rolled out winter warmer packs to hundreds of quake-affected households, and we have 62 trained recovery volunteers. There are still many challenges as Cantabrians face intolerable uncertainty, financial concerns and physical displacement. The other day a colleague came and said to me, “Our zoning decisions have come out. Elizabeth, it was like a death. My neighbour won’t come out of his house, won’t come to the door, people are hurting. But every day I work to find something positive to pass on to someone, it is what we have to do.”
The more we come together as family, as a community and as a nation, the more we can look to the future, or as the Maori proverb says, “turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you”. In the face of these challenges we must take the time to celebrate our achievements, to acknowledge our compassionate, skilled and committed volunteers and to remain positive. I have recently returned from a Winston Churchill fellowship looking at postdisaster recovery around the world. I was overwhelmed by the messages of global support for Cantabrians and I heard time and again, “hang in there Christchurch, it hurts, it is hard but it will get better”. We say recovery is a marathon not a sprint and over the next six months we will do more and reach further to support Cantabrians on this journey. We are developing a digital application to support young people, expanding our outreach programme and our work with bereaved families. We are investigating a range of new programmes that we look forward to sharing with you in our next report.
Elizabeth McNaughton National Recovery Manager
To see the blog from my Winston Churchill Fellowship trip go to http://nzredcrossrecovery.wordpress.com/
New Zealand Red Cross Recovery Team, left to right: Elizabeth McNaughton, Wendy Davie, Colleen Ruru, Sarah Fechney, Melissa Benson-Chan, Tanya Jenkins and Rochelle Berry. Absent: Corinne Ambler, Stephen Manson, Jolie Wills, Jane Booth.
Photos by David Wethey.
penny mason I will never forget the moment I heard about the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on February 22, 2011. Along with the devastating sadness I felt for the many who lost their lives, I knew immediately that this would be a defining moment for New Zealand Red Cross and that we carried an enormous responsibility we had never before been expected to shoulder. The response and recovery has tested many Canterbury people, not least our own Red Cross staff, members and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to help others, even while their own lives were in chaos. I would like to thank those people – from those who helped with the initial response, to the team who now visits people in their homes, to the person who answers the ever-ringing phone at our Christchurch office reception. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the members of the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission, who took on the daunting job of overseeing the distribution of the appeal funds. It is a difficult task that requires compassion and sound judgment. None of our work in Canterbury would have been possible without your expertise and commitment.
Penny Mason National President
New Zealand Red Cross Grants Team, left to right: Christine Haywood, Samantha Roberts, Catherine McClurg, Natasha Bobby, Kirill Kudinov, Artem Kudinov, Cecelia Min, Diana Bidwell and Daniel Squire. Absent: Caroline Elkington, Shani Haywood and Belinda Sibly.
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
grants recipients
grants recipients continued
More help for people with disabilities
Helping the community one small business at a time
Every time there’s an aftershock Te Ramanui Marriner becomes anxious and angry, taking it out on those around him, including his 6-year-old sister.
Before the earthquakes Robin Kerr had a thriving business and a beautiful home in the picturesque seaside village of Lyttelton. But she had to shut her holistic wellness centre, The Stables, when the building was deemed too dangerous after the quakes.
buskers but we can’t do that anymore either,” mum Lisa Hortin says. International research shows people with disabilities are disproportionately disadvantaged in disasters, and also tend to be excluded.
The 16-year-old had a stroke when he was three weeks old, which left him with brain damage and behavioural problems. Before the earthquakes he had a steady routine, but with the closure of local parks and pools, and the destruction of the inner city, all his leisure activities have been taken away. “He used to go swimming, he doesn’t go swimming any more. We also used to bus into town and watch the
So in April the Red Cross Earthquake Commission approved a $750 Disability Support Grant for those whose quality of life has been adversely affected by damage to infrastructure and reduced access to services. Lisa has put the money in a holiday fund so she, husband Chris, and their four kids can take a break out of town – their first in six years. “Just a break away from the shaking. It’s good to know it’s sitting there for when we need it,” she says.
The Ultimate Birthday Present The elderly pair had been without drinking water for more than a year after the February 2011 earthquake, but within 10 days of Red Cross calling, an application for an enhanced water filter grant had been approved and the $5,000 filter fitted. Just in time for his 90th birthday in fact. Jim was delighted with the prompt service, saying it topped off the celebrations, attended by 100 guests, including 25 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jim Curnow and his partner run a successful lavender farm on the outskirts of Christchurch, and when Red Cross outreach volunteers came across him, his crop had water but he had none. 4 | CONNECT CARE PREPARE
“It was a big occasion and the water was very good.” Jim is also pleased he no longer has to lug 10-litre water containers home from town, and is very grateful for the Red Cross grant.
Seriously Injured Christchurch nurse Bev Edwards was paralysed in the February 22 earthquake when the roof of a café where she was lunching fell on top of her. She’s among the 23 worst injured survivors of the quakes – all people with amputations, paralysis or serious crush injuries, who spent months in hospital fighting for their lives. A Red Cross grant of $7,500 each was given to this group soon after the earthquake, but many missed out on applying for other grants because they were either in hospital or had more pressing priorities. Now the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Commission has opened up all closed grants to this group of 23 people, resulting in a second payout of between $10,000 and $14,000 each. Bev plans to use hers to get carpet laid in her house and to make the stairwell more secure for her grandchildren, because she can no longer chase after them. “Thank you so much, it will really help.” Bev says her family is still severely out of pocket as a result of her hospitalisation in another city, and motel costs while her house was adapted for a wheelchair. New Zealand Red Cross is currently working with several government agencies to determine what further help it can give this group of people.
Her home is also so badly damaged the children are still sleeping in the lounge, and to top it all off she’s in protracted negotiations with her insurer. “I had a thriving business that was fully self-sufficient and was growing but the earthquake blew it all apart.”
Since the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission was formed in February last year, 80,000 people have received grants to help them with hardship caused by the Canterbury earthquakes.
Robin now runs part of her business from the local medical centre and has started working through her insurance claim, but needed professional advice. Through Recover Canterbury, Robin accessed the Red Cross Independent Advice for Small Businesses grant, which enabled her to hire a lawyer to clarify her insurance situation. “I now have the confidence and knowledge to continue fighting for what I know I am entitled to. It’s been a lifesaver.” The Independent Advice for Small Businesses grant is available to businesses with fewer than 10 employees and provides up to $750 to cover legal, accounting, or building inspection costs.
Recover Canterbury Communications Manager Pip Tschudin says the grant has been a tremendous help to Christchurch’s community of small businesses. “Small businesses are made up of mums, dads, neighbours, friends – they are the lifeblood of our community. “When a small business struggles, its community struggles too, and that’s why the kind of support the Red Cross offers is so vital as it’s helping get these businesses, and their communities, back on their feet,” says Mrs Tschudin.
committed grant funding GRANT
2010 Relocation Grant 2011 Bereavement Grant
AMOUNT $’000*
100 50
2011 Building Materials Grant
305
Donations to the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquake appeals now total more than $125 million – the largest New Zealand Red Cross appeal since the second world war.
2011 Enhanced Water Filter Grant
360
Around $69 million has been paid out in grants alone, with another $30 million ring-fenced for grants that are still open (outlined right). These funds are being kept available for people who are awaiting land zoning decisions or a resolution with their insurance company. Another $12 million has been committed for recovery programmes and the remaining $14 million is for grants and programmes under development.
2012 Disability Support Grant
2011 Independent Advice for Small Businesses grant
2,200
2011 Independent Advice Grant
3,850
2011 Targeted Moving Assistance Grant
284 7,230
2012 Mobility Assistance Grant
494
2012 Seriously Injured – Open up all Grants
748
2012 Storage for Renters Grant
835
2012 Storage Grant
4,190
2012 Winter Assistance Grant
2,500
2012 Bereavement Grant
1,910
2012 Winter Assistance Grant extension
5,000
*Figures are rounded.
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
Open Grants as at 28/05/2012
Closed Grants as at 28/05/2012 DISBURSED TO DATE $’000*
TOTAL GRANTS TO DATE
UP TO $2,750 per household
630
233
10,000
1,865
Grant amount
2010 Relocation Grant (Waimak & Selwyn) To assist Waimakariri & Selwyn districts households in the green zone that have had to move out of and will be moving back into their earthquake damaged house.
2011 BEREAVEMENT GRANT
$
For immediate family members of those killed in the Canterbury earthquakes.
2012 BEREAVEMENT GRANT part 2
10,000
$
–
–
A second round of assistance to immediate family members of those killed in the Canterbury earthquakes.
2011 BUILDING MATERIALS GRANT
Up to $10,000
209
44
To assist vulnerable homeowners to make an informed decision on their land or property. This grant could be used to obtain professional advice or reports which could include legal, financial, geotechnical or engineering.
2011 INDEPENDENT ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES grant To assist small and family owned businesses, with fewer than ten employees, who need financial assistance to access legal, accounting or engineers/building advice in relation to the effect of earthquakes on their business.
2011 TARGETED MOVING ASSISTANCE GRANT To assist home owners whose residential properties have been issued with a Section 124 Building Act Notice by their council or a CERA Section 39(2)(c) or Section 45 notice.
2011 SERIOUSLY INJURED GRANT To assist those who were most seriously injured by the earthquake on 22 February 2011.
2012 SERIOUSLY INJURED – OPEN UP FOR ALL GRANTS To assist those who were most seriously injured by the earthquake on 22 February 2011.
2012 DISABILITY SUPPORT GRANT To support people with significant disabilities, and their carers, who are encountering considerable hardship in meeting disability-related needs and maintaining quality of life due to the effect of the earthquakes on physical infrastructure and access to services.
2012 MOBILITY ASSISTANCE GRANT
2010 EMERGENCY GRANT To assist those who have been displaced from their homes as a result of damage arising from the earthquake.
2010 FINANCIAL SUPPORT GRANT 2010 HARDSHIP GRANT
UP TO $5,000
104
32
2010 SPECIAL GRANT 2011 ALTERNATIVE SEWerAGE SYSTEM GRANT
UP TO $750 per household
431
592
For households that have had to find alternatives to their flushing toilets at home for at least 90 days.
2011 DISPLACED SCHOOL CHILDREN grant To assist caregivers of school children who have moved from both their home and their school in the period immediately after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
UP TO 750 per BUSINESS
94
1,000 PER HOMEOWNER
368
$
$
136
368
7,500 per PERSON
173
23
VARIABLE PER PERSON
232
17
750 per DISABLED PERSON
522
$
$
2011 EMERGENCY & HARDSHIP GRANT To provide immediate support for people without services for seven days or more, or forced to leave their damaged homes for seven days or more.
718
2011 RELOCATED SCHOOL CHILDREN grant To provide financial support to the caregivers of children who have been displaced from their usual residence, forcing them to move further than 3km away from their early childhood facility or school due to the February 22nd Christchurch earthquake.
2011 TEMPORARY SCHOOL GRANT To provide financial support to the caregivers of children affected by their early childhood facility or school’s temporary closure due to the February 22nd Christchurch earthquake.
2011 WINTER ASSISTANCE FOR THE ELDERLY GRANT $
100
6
57
UP TO $500
3
8
To assist people aged 65 years or over, living in significantly damaged homes caused by the earthquakes.
2012 WINTER ASSISTANCE GRANT
2011 WINTER ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS grant To assist families with children aged under 5, living in significantly damaged homes caused by the earthquakes.
1,679
1,000 per household
3,190
1,453
2,000
140
72
Up to $1,000
4,827
5,024
Variable
102
73
$ 500 per household
3,436
6,880
250 per child
163
366
500 per single person household $ 1,000 per household with two or more people
44,346
51,816
250 per school child affected
57
148
500 per school child affected
2,740
4,454
100 per month for four months
497
1,696
100 per month for four months
292
977
100 per month for four months
187
673
100 per month for four months
90
305
$
$
$
(paid to primary caregiver) $
$
(paid to the caregiver) $
(paid to the caregiver) $
$
(paid to the electricity retailer)
UP TO $500
67
135
To assist homeowners who have had to vacate their damaged property and pay for storage for their belongings any time since 4 September 2010 and have exhausted other financial assistance.
To assist vulnerable households who are living in homes significantly damaged by the earthquakes or, due to earthquake damage, have had to move into accommodation which is damp and/or difficult to heat.
3,961
(paid to the electricity retailer)
To assist people who rent properties in the greater Christchurch area who have had to pay for storage for their belongings as a result of the earthquakes and have exhausted other financial assistance.
2012 STORAGE FOR HOMEOWNERS GRANT
1,000 per household
Precursor to 2010 Hardship Grant.
To assist people who suffer from mobility issues – resulting in them self-isolating.
2012 STORAGE FOR RENTERS GRANT
$
To assist those who have suffered hardship as a result of the earthquake.
To assist households whose domestic water supply comes from either a well or a bore and whose water quality deteriorated as a result of the earthquakes and who now need an enhanced water filter (EWF) in order to make their water potable.
2011 INDEPENDENT ADVICE GRANT
TOTAL GRANTS TO DATE
To provide support for families who have lost a small business as a result of the earthquake.
The provision of building materials to uninsured home owners, whose land has been zoned green, needing to repair their earthquake damaged homes.
2011 ENHANCED WATER FILTER GRANT
2010 DAMAGED HOME GRANT To assist people living in homes that have been badly damaged or are without sewerage or water services.
186
DISBURSED TO DATE $’000*
Grant amount
2011 WINTER ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN grant To assist families with school aged children 5–18 years, living in significantly damaged homes caused by the earthquakes.
$
(paid to the electricity retailer)
100 PER MONTH FOR FOUR MONTHS $
(paid to the electricity retailer)
168
1,679
2011 WINTER ASSISTANCE FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS grant To assist people with pre-existing medical conditions, living in significantly damaged homes caused by the earthquakes.
$
(paid to the electricity retailer)
4,871 3,995 *Figures are rounded. *Figures are rounded. 64,027 75,616 6 | CONNECT CARE PREPARE
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
top ten grants by applicants
top ten grants by $$$
Total no. of applicants to Date
Total amount disbursed to Date
68,897,787
79,844
$
2011 Emergency & Hardship Grant
2011 Emergency & Hardship Grant
011 Alternative Sewerage 2 System Grant
2010 Hardship Grant 2010 Damaged Home Grant
2010 Hardship Grant
Top Ten Grants
No. of Applicants
2011 Temporary School Grant
011 Alternative Sewerage 2 System Grant
2011 Winter Assistance Grant
2010 Emergency Grant
2010 Damaged Home Grant
2011 Temporary School Grant
2012 Winter Assistance Grant
2011 Bereavement Grant
2010 Emergency Grant
2011 Winter Assistance Grant
2012 Disability Support Grant
2010 Relocation Grant
2011 Independent Advice Grant
2012 Disability Support Grant
All Other Grants
All Other Grants
Other Grants
No. of Applicants
Top Ten Grants
51,816
2011 Targeted Moving Assistance Grant
368
1
2011 Emergency & Hardship Grant
2011 Alternative Sewerage System Grant
6,880
2011 Displaced School Children grant
366
2
2010 Hardship Grant
3
2010 Hardship Grant
5,024
2010 Relocation Grant
233
3
4
2011 Temporary School Grant
4,454
2011 Bereavement Grant
186
5
2011 Winter Assistance Grant
3,651
2011 Relocated School Children grant
6
2010 Damaged Home Grant
1,679
7
2012 Winter Assistance Grant
8
2010 Emergency Grant
9
2012 Disability Support Grant
10 2011 Independent Advice Grant
1
2011 Emergency & Hardship Grant
2
8 | CONNECT CARE PREPARE
paid out $’000*
2011 Independent Advice Grant
431
4,827
2011 Targeted Moving Assistance Grant
368
2010 Damaged Home Grant
3,961
2012 Seriously Injured – Open up for all Grants
232
4
2011 Alternative Sewerage System Grant
3,436
2011 Building Materials grant
209
148
5
2010 Emergency Grant
3,190
2011 Seriously Injured Grant
173
2011 Independent Advice for Small Businesses grant
136
6
2011 Temporary School Grant
2,740
2012 Winter Assistance Grant
168
1,679
2012 Storage Grant
135
7
2011 Bereavement Grant
1,865
2011 Displaced School Children grant
163
1,453
2010 Special Grant
73
8
2011 Winter Assistance Grant
1,066
2010 Financial Support Grant
140
718
2010 Financial Support Grant
72
9
2010 Relocation Grant
630
2011 Enhanced Water Filter Grant
104
592
2012 Mobility Assistance Grant
57
10 2012 Disability Support Grant
522
2010 Special Grant
102
2011 Building Materials grant
44
2011 Independent Advice for Small Businesses grant
94
2011 Enhanced Water Filter Grant
32
2012 Storage Grant
67
2011 Seriously Injured Grant
23
2011 Relocated School Children grant
57
2012 Seriously Injured – Open up for all Grants
17
2012 Mobility Assistance Grant
6
2012 Storage for Renters Grant
8
2012 Storage for Renters Grant
3
2012 bereavement grant
–
*Figures are rounded.
44,346
paid out $’000*
Other Grants
2012 BEREAVEMENT GRANT
–
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
february 22 anniversary More than 20,000 people packed Hagley Park in central Christchurch for a public memorial service on the anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake on February 22. The earthquake killed 185 people and injured many more, and the service celebrated their lives and honoured the rescuers who put their own lives at risk to save them. Forty New Zealand Red Cross volunteers helped out at the service, providing a reassuring presence and handing out water. Red Cross chief executive John Ware says he wants to thank Christchurch staff and volunteers for their ongoing
work in Canterbury, especially as many are still rebuilding their own lives. “I am very proud of them all and am honoured to be chief executive of this truly humanitarian organisation.” Immediately after the earthquake Red Cross helped set up 5 welfare centres and distributed 275,000 litres of water. Volunteers and staff also went door to door with other agencies to check on 70,000 homes.
recovery framework
New Zealand Red Cross Receives Awards During the anniversary commemorations New Zealand Red Cross received a civic award for its invaluable support in rescue and recovery and “for assisting our city in its darkest hour”. National president Penny Mason says as she received the award with great pride, she thought about the many staff, members and volunteers who did so much to help those in need. “Without the efforts of those people, Red Cross could never have provided the help for which we were rewarded.” Also presented with an award for his service during the earthquakes was Red Cross emergency management officer Stephen Manson.
service for families Among the volunteers who helped on the first anniversary of the February 22 earthquake was a small group from Timaru, that supported bereaved families at a memorial service in Latimer Square, close to the site of the collapsed CTV building. The volunteers were all people who had responded to the earthquake a year before, and some felt it was important to be at the service as part of their own healing process.
butterflies. At first they didn’t want to fly away, much like those who died did not want to go.” Anna says it is obvious the families’ pain will go on for some time but “we felt that we made a difference that day and will continue to do so whenever needed”.
10 | CONNECT CARE PREPARE
New Zealand Red Cross acknowledges the significant tasks people face to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and is committed to the long term recovery of Canterbury. We have taken into consideration lessons learned from other international disasters and developed a recovery framework, which is based on the four pillars (right). New Zealand Red Cross is working with many Government and nongovernment stakeholders on the recovery effort, and envisage our recovery work will go on for at least the next five years. Central to our work in Canterbury is a group of 62 Outreach volunteers, who visit people at home to provide a sympathetic ear, supply them with torch radios, mobility vouchers and winter warmer packs, and help them fill out grants forms and with referrals to other agencies.
Mr Manson ran the Red Cross operation on the ground during the initial response stage, working alongside emergency services and the council to set up welfare centres, distribute water and blankets, and coordinate doorknocks.
Pillar 1
Pillar 2
Pillar 3
Pillar 4
Care in the Community
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster Response
Disaster Displaced
Additional and enhanced Red Cross community programmes
Delivery of community disaster preparedness programme
Strengthen our disaster response capacity
Assist and connect with displaced persons utilising our network
All these volunteers receive psychosocial training so they are able to look after themselves and care for those they visit in the community.
To continue its valuable work New Zealand Red Cross needs more outreach volunteers. Anyone interested should call 0800 4 OUTREACH (0800 468 873).
They also receive regular training, professional supervision and daily debriefing.
Volunteer Profile – Robbie Drew He says the most satisfying moment of his work so far has been doorknocking homes in the “Orange” zone – to check on people who have just received rezoning decisions or who are still waiting.
He was nominated by members of his community for going above and beyond his Red Cross role and says he is humbled by the honour.
“People end up coming and putting their arms around you because they want a hug. “It’s good to know that you’re making a difference to their daily lives, like we’ve lifted them back up on their feet.
One of those was Anna Munro of Temuka (second from right), who says she felt sorry for the families having to grieve in such a public forum. “The most moving moment for me was when they released the
The people of Canterbury have demonstrated high levels of stoicism to the impacts of ongoing aftershocks, liquefaction and bad weather, which have tested their emotional, physical and financial resources.
Photo: Fairfax Media/The Press.
Pictured: Outreach volunteers Rosemary Fisher and Robbie Drew deliver a Winter Warmer Pack to people living in a caravan in their back yard, Bexley, Christchurch. Photo: Fairfax Media/The Press.
Robbie came to live in Christchurch from the United Kingdom 40 years ago, and started volunteering for Red Cross after seeing a television advertisement.
“When people see us in our Red Cross uniforms you see a look of relief on their faces, Red Cross has such a powerful healing significance, it’s great to be able to help.”
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
1
pillar 1 – care in the community
Outreach Programme Elizabeth Mayes lost her house in the February 22 earthquake, and is currently renting a house next door in the hilly Christchurch suburb of St Martins. The pensioner uses a walker to get around, and lives at the end of a narrow and winding street far from the bus route.
in an application form for the Winter Assistance Grant, after noticing her house was extremely cold.
She was referred to Red Cross by another agency, and qualifies for the Mobility Assistance Grant, so Red Cross outreach volunteer Allan Wills (pictured) visited to give her $100 worth of taxi chits.
“I’ve got the heater on but I don’t like to turn it up too high because I’m scared of the power bills,” she says.
“Thank you, I’ll use them to go to medical appointments,” she says. Allan also gave Mrs Mayes a Red Cross torch radio and helped her fill
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
The Outreach programme has 62 volunteers, many of whom are earthquake affected themselves, but want to help other people. In six months they have carried out 1,120 outreach visits. For more statistics see page 2.
pillar 1 continued See TV story on Outreach Programme at http://tvnz.co.nz/ national-news/extra-supportquake-affected-elderly-4693741
There’s a cracked and warped footpath right outside Roger Young’s front door, on a shared pathway used by many of the elderly men who live in his bedsit complex in Wainoni, Christchurch.
“I just pick the right bit of footpath. I just about know where every pothole is now.” The former NZ Railways carpenter and coachbuilder lost the use of his lower left leg in a stroke three years ago, and has been in and out of hospital with major back surgery. The cheeky 70-year-old can walk short distances using his stick, but takes his scooter when he visits his girlfriend in
Winter Warmer Packs During the early snowfall that hit Christchurch in June, Red Cross staff and volunteers got out in four-wheeldrives to distribute some much needed Winter Warmer Packs.
“I’ve been saying to my partner for weeks that I need a beanie,” she says, surveying the snow from her backyard, where she is living in a caravan.
After an initial run of 500 was snapped up, 4,000 more are being made and will be distributed from late July.
“But we’re on a tight budget and have to pay for bills and food first.”
The packs contain essential items like blankets, hot water bottles, soup and a torch radio, but for Helen Pearce of Bexley the beanie was what made her day.
Mobility Assistance
Since February’s earthquake, you’ll find twisted and broken footpaths like this all over Christchurch. Asked how he manages to get around, Roger is matter-of-fact.
New Zealand Red Cross would like to thank all its outreach volunteers. They are the backbone of the recovery programme and without them our good work in Canterbury would not be possible.
Helen and her family are one of several households in Christchurch still without sewerage services, and are living in the caravan until insurance and land issues are sorted out.
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Woolston – a trip that usually takes him half an hour. “The only thing I’ve had to do is put some extra padding on the seat,” he says, pointing to the couch cushion he’s tied on to the scooter. “I might have to add a bit more too, some of the bumps are quite big.” Red Cross outreach volunteers heard of Roger’s situation and took him $100 worth of taxi chits to help him get around. Roger’s eyes lit up when he saw the vouchers, and he says he’ll use them to go down to his local club on a Friday. And he says they’ll be good for his love life too.
bereaved family support The Red Cross in Christchurch runs three support groups for people who lost loved ones in the earthquakes. The bereaved families group was handed over to Red Cross by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure, and is attended by up to 15 people each time. Red Cross provides the meeting room and facilitators, as well as a hot supper, with any leftovers packaged up for people to take home. The recovery group has also helped link up some of the people left as sole parents after their partners died in the earthquake. This group and their young children also hold support groups at a local kindergarten. And in June Red Cross started holding support groups for the families of those killed in the CTV building, to coincide with the Royal Commission hearing into this building collapse, which is scheduled to run for eight weeks. Feedback on the groups has been positive and bereaved families have also expressed how grateful they are for two $10,000 payments of the Bereavement Grant, especially the message that they could use the grant in any way they saw fit to make life more manageable.
Helen Pearce of Bexley with her Red Cross Winter Warmer pack. Photo: Fairfax Media/ The Press.
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New Zealand Red Cross intends to continue supporting bereaved families for as long as they require it.
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
outreach visits – central christchurch
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pillar 2 – disaster preparedness
RED CROSS ROLLS OUT TORCH RADIOS New Zealand Red Cross torch radios are proving a hit with Cantabrians, with the organisation handing out almost 20,000 so far to vulnerable groups. The solar-powered and wind-up torch radios have been handed out to schoolchildren, tenants in council housing, rest home residents, disabled groups, Women’s Refuge, Red Cross outreach clients, and refugee and migrant groups. They’ve been popular with children – who are often the best way to spread preparedness messaging within families, as well as the elderly, who like them because they don’t need batteries.
torch radio distribution – central christchurch
George and Joyce Dryden of Westmorland (pictured here with Red Cross Outreach volunteer Steve
Guyatt) say they spend hundreds of dollars a month on power for medical machinery, so it will be handy having a reliable light source that’s self-powered. They keep their torch radio next to the bed, saying it makes them feel more secure at night, and during earthquakes. They also like the fact the torch radios have a socket for charging a cellphone. All torch radios are distributed with household preparedness information in a collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Their purpose is to give households access to emergency messaging, light and cellphone power and to increase resilience. The torch radio programme was made possible with the generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation and Goldman Sachs. For TV story on Torch Radio Programme go to http://tvnz. co.nz/national-news/christchurchchildren-getting-early-christmaspresents-video-4492644
torch radio distribution as at july 1, 2012
19,962
Torch radios distributed
11,606
Primary School Children elderly people people with disabilities refugees and migrants community events outreach
1,548 622 51 968 720 4,447
DISTRIBUTED FROM CHRISTCHURCH OFFICE
2,000
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4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
pillar 3 – disaster response
Strengthening Disaster Response Capacity and will be available to help in Asia or the Pacific if a major disaster occurs. The team is a self-contained unit, with enough gear, including tents, eating utensils and food to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. Response time – 20 volunteers on the ground within six hours 1 support truck within eight hours Another 20 volunteers within 20 hours
This year Red Cross has forged ahead with a plan to strengthen its response capacity, and now has a new highly-trained response team that will hit the ground running if disaster strikes. The National Disaster Response Team is one of the most highly-trained and wellequipped teams in the country and is made up of 50 volunteers from all over New Zealand. A rigorous selection process included testing in high rise and river rescues, team work and fitness. Triallists had to live in tents and survive on rations for three days. Christchurch team member Craig Titheridge (pictured below), who joined
Red Cross after trying to save people from a crushed bus on Colombo Street on February 22, says he lost more than 3kgs during the trials. “I’m stoked I got in, it was my goal from the beginning. I’m not afraid of anything – I’ve seen the worst.” The NDRT will complement Red Cross disaster welfare support teams, and will offer pre-hospital emergency care, urban search and rescue capability,
The teams will operate two purposebuilt Isuzu disaster support trucks (artist’s impression pictured below), one located in Auckland, the other in Christchurch. There will also be three welfare support trucks based in Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin. Red Cross has budgeted $2.3 million for capacity building for future emergencies, which has been made possible with donations from partner Red Cross national societies overseas. The first truck will be on the road in August. New Zealand Red Cross has also completed a recruitment campaign for disaster welfare support volunteers in the South Island. As well as attracting more members in Timaru and Invercargill, Red Cross now has a team in Gore for the very first time.
For TV story on National Disaster Response Team go to http://tvnz. co.nz/national-news/building-elite-red-cross-team-video-4782267
An estimated 60,000 Cantabrians left their homes following the February 2011 quake and many of them were greeted and supported by Red Cross staff and volunteers at airports across New Zealand.
Local agencies acted quickly to relocate the most vulnerable out of Canterbury to safer ground, and some of those 60,000 have still not returned home. Volunteer Beth Geraghty (above) was part of a Red Cross team at Auckland Airport greeting evacuees streaming in on up to 10 flights a day for six weeks. “The first people we saw were foreigners – tourists who had been in Cathedral Square and seen their hotels collapse. They were very shocked and only had their backpacks. People were crying. “As the days wore on people just looked numb – some people hadn’t had showers for days.” Aucklanders opened their homes to the displaced from Canterbury, and Beth and her team helped people find a billet, or a flight home overseas, or simply just listened as people recounted their experiences. “A lot of people arrived and saw Red Cross and they’d come up and just stand by you, just come to you like
Volunteer at the Royal New Zealand Air Force base in Wellington.
‘thank God I’ve got this lady from Red Cross’. We made a difference for sure and the foreigners were blown away.” Directly following the February 2011 quake New Zealand Red Cross registered 50,000 people and the 0800 Red Cross phone line took 73,500 calls, including 800 from overseas, from people wanting to track down missing family members.
RC 02 RC02
For YouTube clip on National Disaster Response Team go to http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2Ql6yfwOY1s
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pillar 4 – disaster displaced
The Recovery team and Restoring Family Links coordinator report that we continue to take inquiries from families who have lost touch. Displacement in the Canterbury context has been redefined by the disaster. New Zealand Red Cross acted quickly to address this and two grants were made available. School children who were forced to relocate to another school were recognised and supported by the Relocated School Children grant. The Storage Assistance Grant recognised the need for families on the move to store and protect their belongings whilst displaced.
DISASTER WELFARE SUPPORT UNIT
Volunteer greets Cantabrians at the Royal New Zealand Air Force base in Wellington.
New Zealand Red Cross has been supporting displaced Cantabrians living in other cities, and plans to do more work in this area in the coming six months. CONNECT CARE PREPARE | 17
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
collaboration with australian red cross In the last few years the New Zealand and Australian Red Cross have worked together during several emergencies and continue to support each other at workshops, conferences and anniversaries.
Left to right: Lauren Gould, Kate Brady, Corinne Ambler, Dr Susan Nicholls.
Communicating in Recovery In May New Zealand Red Cross recovery communications manager Corinne Ambler attended a Communicating in Recovery workshop in Bendigo, Australia, run by Kate Brady and Lauren Gould of Australian Red Cross. The two-day workshop was attended by recovery and emergency management workers from the greater Bendigo area, who have had to deal with natural disasters from flooding to bushfires. Based on the premise that recovery should begin as soon as an emergency occurs, the workshop covered areas such as how to make recovery communications relevant, clear and targeted. It stressed the need for getting feedback from affected communities
and repeating messages several times because people may not be immediately able to process them. The workshop and accompanying book are based on research by Dr Susan Nicholls, formerly of Canberra University, who also attended. Dr Nicholls now works as a disaster recovery advisor. New Zealand Red Cross is currently investigating whether similar workshops would be of use to New Zealand recovery workers.
KATE BRADY’S TIPS FOR CANTABRIANS If there is one message I cannot get across strongly enough it’s to take the time to look after yourselves. Even with so much to think about and do, your health and relationships need to be your priorities. Here are a few things that can help you cope: Go and see your GP and have a check up – sometimes we get so used to the effects of stress we don’t notice when we’re feeling unwell. Give a friend you’ve been meaning to get in contact with a call. Do something you enjoy. Try and do some exercise 3 times a week. Even going for a walk is a good thing.
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Have an honest look at how much sleep you’re getting and what you’re eating. Using drugs and alcohol to help you cope isn’t going to help your health or relationships in the long run. Be kind to yourselves.
On February 22 this year Australian Red Cross National Recovery Coordinator Kate Brady came to New Zealand to support her New Zealand colleagues on the anniversary and share her expertise. Kate gave several interviews, including on national radio and television and briefed outreach volunteers who were working at the various memorial services in Canterbury. Ms Brady says for many people the second year following an emergency is characterised by fatigue and stress. She says people need to think about recovery being a marathon, not a sprint, and pace themselves accordingly. “It’s complicated, exhausting, and at times can feel like it’s not going to end. Hang in there!” Kate Brady also collaborated with New Zealand Red Cross outreach and community support advisor Jolie Wills to present a joint paper at the Disaster and Emergency Management Conference in Brisbane in April. Their paper “Across the Ditch – New Zealand/Australian Red Cross Working Together” will be appearing in Australia’s National Emergency Response (NER) journal later this year. We would like to thank the Australian Red Cross for their invaluable help during and after the Canterbury earthquakes.
recovery communications in canterbury Corinne Ambler, Communications Manager Recovery When I took on the job of Communications Manager for the New Zealand Red Cross recovery team in January this year, I had an idea it was going to be a big job, but never dreamed we could achieve as much as we have in six short months.
increased our media presence and relationships with Canterbury media outlets and journalists designed and printed tens of thousands of brochures on available grants and programmes and distributed them through 86 outlets, including petrol stations, supermarkets, libraries, hairdressers and taxi companies
set up a Pillar 3 recovery page featuring the national Disaster Response Team on www.redcross.org.nz Run an outreach volunteer recruitment campaign
It soon became obvious that traditional communications practices were not going to work in the fast-moving, urgent and unique environment that is postearthquake Canterbury. To communicate with people at a grass roots level we have needed to work in non-traditional ways, repeat messages over and over again, and actively seek out those who could benefit from our grants and programmes. On the streets of Christchurch we so often hear “there are so many others worse off than me”, and the irony is that those saying it are usually the ones who can most do with our help. Our aim this year has been to reach those people and persuade them to accept our help. This year we have: organised monthly slots with local television station CTV organised regular slots with Mike Yardley on Newstalk ZB
Vanessa Wells, host of CTV’s City Life.
PA R T T I ME H ERO
Georgia McAuley, Countdown Northwood.
organised for Contact Energy to distribute our brochures with their power bills established a monthly Recovery newsletter transitioned the grants website to www.redcross.org.nz written a Recovery Communications Plan
Become A Red cRoss outReAch VolunteeR WWW.REDCROSS.ORG.NZ
0800 4 OUTREACH (0800 468 873)
provided communications material for four Red Cross Earthquake Commission meetings fielded inquiries from all over New Zealand and the world on the February 22 anniversary attended a Communicating in Recovery workshop run by the Australian Red Cross built relationships with strategic partners and stakeholders to disseminate Red Cross messages as widely as possible. investigated and publicised 7 new grants There is still much to do in the coming six months and I believe the rest of the world can learn from what we are achieving in Canterbury. I look forward to sharing those lessons with stakeholders in New Zealand and overseas, especially with our partner national societies.
Mike Yardley – Newstalk ZB.
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RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
RECOVERY UPDATE JULY 2012 // O800 4 OUTREACH
the next six months and beyond
financial update – new zealand red cross
New Zealand Red Cross is committed to the long term recovery of Christchurch, and has drawn up a recovery plan for the next five years.
2011 Earthquake Appeal Partner National Society Report
for the period ended 31 may 2012
Reporting Currency New Zealand Dollars ($NZD)
I am pleased that we have many worthwhile initiatives and programmes planned to help the people of Canterbury over the next six months, including: Community Transport, where we will provide a free van to take people to and from medical appointments Pack and Move, which will help those needing to move to or from earthquake affected homes
Youth digital project, to help teens and young adults process their reactions to the earthquakes and prepare for future emergencies We are excited about helping the people of Canterbury on their road to recovery and are positive a better city can emerge from the rubble.
We have a world class team of talented people who have truly humanitarian hearts and want to make a difference to those whose lives have been shattered or disrupted by events beyond their control.
auckland emergency management officer I hope that our recovery efforts in Christchurch continue making a positive impact on those most vulnerable such as the elderly and children, and that we continue to have great volunteer support in our outreach efforts.
andrew mckie
international operations and emergencies manager I hope for the positive and rapid transition towards the establishment of new resilient communities and a decline in the number of aftershocks.
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John Ware New Zealand Red Cross Chief Executive
Mat Darling
Tagged Corporates & Govt
Total
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
99,446
24,534
1,460
125,440
65,306
3,600
–
68,906
Response and Relief
–
2,456
–
2,456
Recovery Programmes
–
999
–
999
Recovery Pillar 1: community Outreach
–
31
–
31
recovery pillar 2: disaster preparedness
–
–
881
881
Recovery Pillar 3: Strengthen our disaster response capability
–
809
–
809
Total Expenditure
65,306
7,895
881
74,082
remaining funds
34,140
16,639
579
51,358
contributions
Board (youth representative) I hope to see the Christchurch community continue to be rebuilt even stronger and more resilient than ever before.
outreach and community support advisor, christchurch
christchurch receptionist We all know our neighbours now and it’s brought our city together so I hope we can remain positive, be patient, and hold onto the hope that we are going to have a better city.
Christchurch outreach volunteer
Partner National Society Contributions
jane huria
earthquake commission I hope that Christchurch people are able to keep their spirits up and carry on moving towards a bright future for our city.
Total $’000
American Red Cross
1,035
Australian Red Cross
9,716
British Red Cross
4,449
Canadian Red Cross
lyn boyd
Warwick Armstrong
I hope that we can rapidly proceed with residential reconstruction. Many Christchurch residents are suffering while waiting for their homes to be repaired or rebuilt.
Partner National Societies
Cash Grants
jolie wills
I hope that as Cantabrians we give ourselves permission to prioritise making time to recharge and re-energise – I hope we remember to be kind to ourselves.
Public & Corporate
Expenditure
As New Zealand Red Cross chief executive I am proud of the work undertaken by the recovery team.
Red Cross people – hopes for Christchurch in the coming year Graeme langford
Our team is committed to using its skills and experience and to continuing to meet humanitarian needs and fulfil the expectations of those who provided generous financial support.
520
Cook Islands Red Cross
40
French Red Cross
95
German Red Cross
18
International Federation New York Irish Red Cross Japanese Red Cross Korean Red Cross
126 62 *8,129 9
Micronesian Red Cross
46
Red Cross Society of China – Hong Kong
92
Red Cross Society of China – Taiwan
35
Samoan Red Cross
35
Singaporean Red Cross Tongan Red Cross Total Partner National Society Contributions
114 12
24,534
*Received May 2012
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CONNECT CARE PREPARE 0800 4 OUTREACH 0800 468 873 National Office, PO Box 12140, 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6144 phone 04 471 8250 | email
[email protected] | website www.redcross.org.nz
