Sunday 26 April 2015

Statement from Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel regarding the earthquake in Nepal

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says Councillors will meet on Tuesday 28 April to see how they can help coordinate a Christchurch response to the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Nepal - from Christchurch to Kathmandu - we offer our love and support," says the Mayor.

She says Nepal was very near and dear to New Zealand through the relationship established by Sir Edmund Hillary. Numerous New Zealanders will have travelled there to visit the historic places that have now have been destroyed or to climb Mt Everest which has been affected by landslides.

The Mayor says that our own earthquake experience had made Christchurch people acutely aware of the trauma that people would be experiencing.

"We also know that early financial assistance is what is needed, so we will be coordinating a fundraising effort that will enable everyone to contribute.

"All our libraries and service centres will have donation buckets and we will be encouraging citizen-led initiatives."

She says when the Sichuan delegation visited here last week, special mention was made of the children who fundraised by playing their violins in the street for the people affected by the devastating Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008.

The Mayor says these are the sorts of things that people will remember.

She says she had learned about the earthquake while watching the Crusaders take on the Blues at AMI Stadium last night.

'It was hard to concentrate on the game when the scale of the tragedy was unfolding at the same time.

"I know that all Christchurch people will want to do everything they can to help," says the Mayor.

ENDS

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