European Union offers earthquake help to NZ

European Union offers earthquake help to New Zealand

Christchurch, NZ's second largest city, suffered a major earthquake on Saturday morning, 4 September 2010.

The European Union offered New Zealand assistance that same day. NZ also received messages of support from the UK, Spain and the Netherlands, amongst others.

Foreign Minister McCully confirmed NZ should be able to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake with its own resources The British High Commission sent a team down to Christchurch on Sunday to review the situation. No injuries to EU nationals have been reported.

PM Key, who was forced to cancel his visit to the UK and France because of the tragedy, thanked the EU and others for their support after Monday's cabinet meeting. The efficiency of NZ's civil defence, absence of serious casualties and the fact that the majority of buildings are functional shows thorough preparedness by the NZ Civil and Emergency Defence Management, supported by appropriate building regulations.

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Member of the European Commission, said: "As I follow news from a region of the world I know particularly well, I was sad to see the devastation caused by the major quake of 4th September. As Prime Minister Key said, 'it's a miracle nobody was killed'. This is also a testament to the preparedness of New Zealanders, and the good work of its emergency management and civil defence systems, which secured the wellbeing of Canterbury's inhabitants and is restoring its city, Christchurch, to life. I appreciate how the New Zealand authorities have shouldered the need to meet their own disaster relief and reconstruction challenges. And I admire the New Zealanders' resolve in reconstructing their cities. In the light of the material damage suffered by New Zealanders, I convey not only the EU's sympathy, but also our solidarity with you."

ENDS

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