Webpage launched for offers of household goods

A webpage has been launched today for Waikato residents able to make donations of household furniture to Christchurch evacuees arriving in the region.

Latest figures show the number of Christchurch self-evacuees registered with authorities in the Waikato has risen to 398.

Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group controller Chris McLay said, “The indications are that many more people are expected to arrive in the North Island from Christchurch.

“Waikato people have already responded generously, making homes available for Christchurch residents displaced by the earthquake. However, in some cases evacuees do need furniture and other household items.

“Working with the Salvation Army in Hamilton, this webpage has been developed to coordinate offers of goods,” Mr McLay said.

Visit www.waikatoregioncdemg.govt.nz/donatedgoods to complete the online form.

“Offers of household goods for the Salvation Army can only be made online via this webpage. As goods are required, people will then be contacted either by Waikato Civil Defence or the Salvation Army in Hamilton and arrangements made for the collection or delivery of goods.”

He said that by only using the online form, the Salvation Army would be better able to match the offers of goods with the needs of displaced Christchurch residents in the region.

“We know Waikato people are keen to help Christchurch residents displaced by the earthquake and we encourage people able to help to complete the online form We are looking for items which will help to furnish every room of the house, from the kitchen and laundry to the bathroom and bedroom,” Mr McLay said.

In Hamilton, a recovery assistance centre has opened today at the Community Link office, near Garden Place in Victoria Street, to provide all the essential services to self-evacuees. As well as Work and Income and Housing New Zealand, the Red Cross and Salvation Army is set up in the office.

There may be other self-evacuees who have not registered. New self-evacuee registrations can be made at Work and Income service centres or by phoning the Red Cross on 0800 733 276.

Meanwhile, eight welfare staff from Thames Valley travelled to Christchurch this morning to work in the recovery assistance centres. In total, 22 people deployed by Waikato Civil Defence are currently in Christchurch, with another 23 on standby. The 11-strong Taupo-based Urban Search and Rescue team returned from its deployment over the weekend.

Full details of arrangements and services for Christchurch residents arriving in the region is available on the Waikato Civil Defence website, www.waikatoregioncdemg.govt.nz.
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