Kaikoura Earthquake Media Release #15

Media Release 20 November 2016, 2015hrs

Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director Sarah Stuart-Black says she had the “absolute privilege” today of visiting some of the ships that have been supporting the response effort to thank those on board.

The Director made the visit with acting Prime Minister Bill English after the ships arrived in Wellington Harbour. Speaking of her visit she said, “the men and woman on board the ships from the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have made a difference to the post-quake lives of people in Kaikoura and surrounding areas. Their contribution will never be forgotten by those they helped in such a difficult time.”

Today was an opportunity for me to acknowledge, on behalf of our communities and our responders, our appreciation of the huge efforts of these personnel.”

Providing welfare support to affected communities continues to be one of the top priorities of the response to Monday’s 7.8 earthquake.

“A particular focus is reaching isolated rural communities and families to ensure that their needs are being met,” she says.

“Services to affected towns continue to be restored and additional services such as portaloos, shower units, fuel and groceries are being supplied. Another New Zealand Defence Force convoy delivered additional food and water to Kaikoura today which was good news.”

The inland road (Kaikoura Emergency Access Route) remains closed.

“We know that the closure of the road is causing frustration for some people and we are doing everything we can to move people and goods to where they need to be. It’s a case of balancing the provision of essential supplies to those who need them and ensuring that people stay as safe as possible.”

The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group arranged for some residents living on the inland road between Waiau and Mount Lyford to be escorted to their properties in a convoy this afternoon.

It is not known when the inland road (Kaikoura Emergency Access Road) will be open to the public. The Canterbury CDEM Group are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency to manage control of the road using a permit system combined with closures when necessary as the risk changes.

Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups continue to ask that people do not donate goods and instead donate to relief funds such as those below.

“We know that donating goods seems like the right thing to do but often the donations don’t match what communities need,” says Director Stuart-Black.

“Monetary donations are still the most useful as they assure organisations can provide what is really needed to those affected. If businesses or individuals have non-perishable goods they wish to donate please contact local authorities first for advice.”

Relief funds:

Hurunui Mayoral Fund: Donations can be made at any service centre/library in the Hurunui District or can be e-deposited into the bank account 03-0802-0946666-00. Electronic donation please use the reference EQ FUND.

NZ Red Cross - www.redcross.org.nz/donate/november-2016-earthquake-appeal/

Kaikoura District Council EQ Relief Fund – http://www.kaikoura.govt.nz/latest-news/earthquake-update-3/

There are also funds and causes related to the earthquake relief on the Give A Little NZ website – www.givealittle.co.nz

ENDS

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