As you are no doubt aware, Christchurch suffered a second devasting 6.3 earthquake on 22 February 2011, which claimed a further 182 New Zealand lives.
Our RescueNet (RN) Coordinator in New Zealand (Richard Betts) led a team into the event and working with St John Ambulance in New Zealand, Richard was able to actually go right into the city and witness the terrible events there.
As with every event, there is always the ‘epi center’ of the event, which compiles approximately 20% of the total 100% of those affected by the disaster – leaving a huge 80% of victims struggling to receive the assistance that they deserve and need. Most Search And Rescue teams like to concentrate in the ‘epi centre’, often because this is the same place where the ‘world’s eye’ (the media) concentrate and thereby much fund raising can be raised through media exposure.
Not so with RescueNet! Every RN member is required to raise their own sponsorships before they leave and thereby we do not rely on the media for exposure to the world. Therefore, we are enabled to go to the 80% of victims in desperate need.
Therefore the Team set up in the Lyttelton area and serve those affected in that region.
The work there still continues – the entire city needs to be re-built, let alone the re-building of the numerous shattered lives.
If you would like to make a donation toward this work, click here
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