Incase you haven't heard, which I am sure you all have considering the severity, there has been another earthquake in Christchurch. This one hit with far more destruction than the first 7.1 that hit in September. A lot of people have lost thier lives. At this stage the death toll is at 76 but this is set to grow to much much more as the rescue workers have now changed the status of searching to recovery rather than rescue in two of the bigger buildings that have collapsed. There are up to 278 people currently missing.
At the moment 80% of the city is without water, and a lot of the Eastern suburbs are without power, some parts potentially for a week at least. Peoples houses/businesses have been destroyed, and anxiety understandably will be high with family and friends missing, futures uncertain and aftershocks often.
Being a Cantabrian by birth, throughout my school years and early 20's, I have a lot of family and friends in Christchurch and man is it hard being away when things like this happen! It is nothing, obviously in comparision to being down there and experiencing it all, but it is hard to watch all the horrific pictures on the TV, and hear the horror stories on the radio and know that your friends and family are suffering and there is hardly anything you can do about it. I just want to be able to give them all a hug at least.
With the bad comes the good. There have been amazing stories of rescue. Communities banding together to help each other. I just sent my own sister to check on a friends godparents, so my wonderful sister is right now trapsing through water and closed roads to see if they are alright. People accomodating complete strangers who have lost thier homes, or tourists that have been stranded. Offers of help from a large amount of overseas countries. People around New Zealand organising food collection drives, fundraisers. Just loads and loads of acts of kindness going on around New Zealand and around the world. It is a beautiful thing to witness. It is so nice to know that when you are really in need people will go the extra mile for you.
So anyway, the point of this is to give information of some great acts of kindness going on that you can take part in.
The two ones that are really the top tier of kindness are donating to the Red Cross, or the Salvation Army. Both of whom do amazing amazing things. These are for money donations, or volunteers for the Salvation Army. Cash donations are the quickest and easiest ways to help, especially at this stage. It will mean the organistaions can get what they need to help people. At this stage the logistics of getting people goods donated is quite difficult. Money donated is spent locally which also helps the local economy. There are also earthquake appeals running though the banks; Kiwibank, Westpac etc.
You can also text to donate.
- Westpac and the Salvation Army have opened a text donation line for victims. Free txt 'quake' to 5339 to donate $3 to the Salvation Army's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
- Telecom and Red Cross appeal to users of all New Zealand mobile networks. Text 4419 to make an automatic $3 donation to the Appeal.
There are also some awesome people around New Zealand organising events to raise money for the people of Christchurch. In Auckland on Sale Street you have Kotahitangata (One People) Quake Relief Gig - Feat. Sola Rosa, King Kapisi, Homebrew, LA Mitchell, Anna Coddington, Coast, The Midnights, LatinAotearoa (Bobby Brazuka, Jennifer Zea & Isaac Aesili), Recloose, The Turnaround (Manue...l Bundy, Cian, Submariner) & special guests. All money going to the Red Cross, and all these talented musicians playing for no moolah. $25.
There is talk of Sanfransico Bathhouse doing something similarily fabulous so watch this space.
Cafe L'afaree are having a fundraiser in Wellington on Sunday with donations of from some of our favourite food suppliers.
Plus there is talk of a bake-off come Sunday to send some handmade with love goodies to our friends. This is in Wellington.
Most of all I think we need to remember that this is going to be hard on a lot of people for a lot of time. Peoples livlihoods are in danger and we need to think about how we would feel in their situations. It could so easily have been any of us in their shoes. This isn't a 'one off' help out. It will be going on for a long time.
I don't know what I would have done without you all! I know you shouldn't think like that but I just can't help it. I will appreciate you so much more now! Get ready for some serious smothering Gem's friends and family. There are going to by hugs and kisses, kind words, lists of why you are all so fabulous. You are going to shoo me away for excess smothering. Sending all my pretty sweet love to you Christchurch! I will be seeing you all soon xoxoxoxoxo
