Auckland response to national emergency ongoing

Auckland Council’s Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley says Auckland has provided a multi-faceted response this week to support Christchurch’s earthquake recovery effort and will continue to provide assistance.

“To date 102 specialists have been deployed to the city and dozens more are on standby to either relieve those already there or to respond to new requests for help,” Mr Manley says.

“A welfare centre has been established in Manukau to act as a coordination centre for accommodation, transport and general welfare requirements for evacuees from Christchurch, and a total of more than 120 people have received welfare assistance from the team there or at Whenuapai Airbase.

“In addition, injured, sick and elderly people relocated to Auckland are being cared for by the relevant health and welfare agencies.

“More than 1700 Aucklanders have also offered to host people displaced by the earthquake in their homes,” Mr Manley says.

“We want to do whatever we can to assist people coming from Christchurch, and to be great hosts.”

“This national state of emergency is expected to last for a number of weeks and we will stagger our response to meet demand. The Civil Defence Emergency Coordination Centre in Auckland has been staffed 24/7 since the earthquake and will continue responding to all requests from Christchurch.”

Auckland Council Civil Defence has deployed the following personnel to Christchurch to date:

• 30 building inspectors
• 39 engineers
• 22 emergency response staff plus support vehicles
• 11 civil defence staff
• 7 Watercare staff plus contractors and equipment including a mobile water chlorination plant.

Mayor Len Brown says Auckland will continue to provide whatever support is required for the Christchurch earthquake recovery effort.

ENDS
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is reminding New Zealanders that cash donations are the best way to help Cantabrians. Donations can be made via the Red Cross, Salvation Army and branches of the ANZ, National, Westpac, ASB, BNZ and Kiwibank banks. Details can be found at www.civildefence.govt.nz.

Additional information

Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Coordination Centre assistance includes:

• Technical experts such as building inspectors and engineers
• Staff trained in emergency management to work in the Christchurch Emergency Coordination Centre
• Welfare personnel to work in Christchurch
• Logistics support in managing international aid arriving into New Zealand via Auckland Airport
• Planning the accommodation needs for potential evacuees to Auckland.

Useful websites

www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

www.civildefence.govt.nz

www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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