International support continues - thank you

IPDG Margaret Reeve received a letter from District 3300, Malaysia expressing the sympathy and support of their Rotarians for the folks of Christchurch on the earthquakes that have brought such tremendous devastation to the beautiful city and surrounding areas.  They have just donated US$1,000 from their District Disaster Fund as a gesture of goodwill and support for the rehabilitation and rebuilding process.  A picture of the presentation of the cheque to Richard Tankersly who is a former Rotarian and President of the NZ Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Canterbury University.

Sumbitted by:  PDG Leslie Salehuddin, District 3300

Snow Quaked

As if continued quakes and aftershocks although lessening, are not enough Christchurch City was on the 25^th July blanketed with a covering of 10 -15cm of snow with more on the Port Hills.

At least it is different to be shovelling snow from the liquefaction which has now occurred to varying degrees on the four major earthquakes of 4^th Sept, 26^th Dec, 22^nd Feb and 13^th June.

However many people in the eastern parts of the city where there is no sewer service continue to trudge out to ‘Portaloos’. Approximately 50 houses were without power supply during the day but hopefully is now restored.

St Mary’s Church where the latest damage was on 13^th June
when the north wall section ‘blew’ out / collapsed

Canterbury Earthquake Assistance (excerpt)

The following is an excerpt from the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service newsletter for July 2011.  This newsletter also includes topics such as:

• Non-Government Disaster Relief Forum cooperation adds value
• Emergency Relief Kits packing draws more student help
• Five new projects receive NZ-0Government's Sustainable Development Fund approval
• and much more

A copy of this newsletter will sortly be available via www.rnzwcs.org.nz

[Excerpt]

Rotary New Zealand has such a long history of providing assistance to overseas disasters, and large-scale New Zealand disasters are so mercifully infrequent, that we simply didn’t expect to see the situation reversed. This time last year, who imagined that we would have our own ‘New Orleans-scale’ disaster?

The past nine months in Canterbury have challenged both many Rotarians personally, and our organisation, in ways that we did not anticipate. Homelessness, dispossession, psychological stress, hunger, cold – all common characteristics of overseas disasters for so long, and now common situations in the New Zealand’s second largest city. However, sitting around feeling sorry is no part of Rotary’s outlook. Within hours of the initial 22 September quake, Rotary New Zealand was involved in the following activities:

·         Establishing an appeal, that has raised over $1.7million to date.

·         In association with Salvation Army, delivering food to residents without power,

·         water or sanitation.

·         Linking families with families in other parts of New Zealand to enable them to

·         spend some time recuperating away from the aftershocks.

·         Rotarians from other parts of New Zealand providing caravans and mobile

·         homes to people whose homes are uninhabitable (a District 9980 initiative).

·         Through the NDRF (NGO Disaster Relief Forum), of which RNZWCS is a

·         member, meeting regularly with forum members to plan strategy and

·         cooperation.

·         Seeking warehouse space (medium to long term) to be shared by various

·         NGO's for storage rehabilitation resources following earthquake.

·         Seeking people with experience in caring for the disabled and accessible accommodation (short to medium term) for the disabled.

Future initiatives being considered

Within the wider world of Rotary there are funds available subject to meeting appropriate criteria.  Therefore Rotary in Canterbury is considering projects in the following areas to meet long-term community needs:

•          Disease Prevention and Treatment

•          Water and Sanitation

•          Maternal and Child Health

•          Basic Education and Literacy

•          Economic and Community Development

Progress as clubs mobilise

Just some of the activities clubs have mobilised over the past couple of months are;

RC Linwood Woolston is being supported by RC Riccarton for their community projects and will also assist L/W with their annual commitment to the “le Race” project later in the year.

RC Lyttelton is receiving support from RC Gore and a UK based club, and is active supporting the needs of youth and elderly in their town. RC Garden City has supplied emergency lights for distribution.

RC Ferrymead has aligned with the Rotary Clubs in Area 8 (Marlborough) for assistance in future projects.

RC Chch South has been active identifying needs and assisting schools to present applications to the Fund.

RC Chch North has accepted assistance from RC Ashburton. RC Newmarket and RC Heratanga. They have liaison with a large number of schools in the east and are proceeding with the Honour Roll Programme and other assistance to schools and pupils.

RC Ashburton has committed to the following;

·         Underwrite the cost of RC Chch North’s School Honour Roll Awards, and send members to help host the night (cost $3000).

·         Send entrants and help run annual golf tournament in November.

·         Arrange school bus trip to Ashburton farms. (Aranui School).

·         Provide contingency funds for Club members (to be raised by charging $20 for our Club meal each night).

·         Continue to visit Christchurch North Club meeting from time to time.

A great commitment from a club located 100kms from Christchurch.

RC Avonhead continues to provide support to the community though St James School in Aranui. The Club was recognised at District Changeover for the successful laundry services club members provided after the February earthquake when many families had no water for a length of time.

RC Bishopdale Burnside has donated a people carrier to Cholmondeley Children’s Home which has been displaced due its main building being severely damaged. Also, RCBB has provided financial support to the Canterbury Charity Hospital to extend its facilities to provide much needed mental health services to stressed people. Funding for this project was provided with contributions from RC Western Springs (Auck), RC Brunswick (Melb), and RCs based in Sydney and USA.

St John Ambulance Support

The District 9970 Rotary Earthquake Recovery Support Project team advise that they are currently assembling a Matching Grant to support St John Ambulance to "Replace, Repair and be Ready" for future emergencies, particularly the replacement of resources and equipment which was consumed or damaged in the earthquake emergencies over the last nine months.

In addition, Canterbury Rotary clubs are looking at ways to organise appreciation functions for the St John Volunteers.  Members of the public willing to assist can contact their local Rotary club as well.  In Canterbury, St John have 240 paid staff but also 800 volunteers both front-line and behind the scenes in areas such as the Caring Caller Program and the Friends of the Emergency Department (who have recently extended their service to the Morgue).  The workload and stress on these volunteers from the constant emergencies of the last nine months is ongoing with no end in sight and in addition to more volunteers being needed, St John believe some recognition and appreciation for the work of the volunteers would give them a huge and much needed boost in confidence.

Let there be light

A supply of 500 camping lanterns has been sourced and is now avaiulable for Rotary clubs to distribute.  In particular these are suitable for elderly and persons living on their own as a consistent source of lighting.  Clubs can contact PDG Margaret Reeve (contact details via www.rotarysouthpacific.org)

East Christchurch Schools

A number of Christchurch Rotary clubs have taken up an alignment with east Christchurch schools.  This will enable regular contact with the schools and the building of a positive long-lasting relationship that will enable Rotary to assist and support their ever changing needs.