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NEWS > cbm assists earthquake relief efforts

cbm assists earthquake relief efforts

Rescue workers at the collapsed Canterbury Television (CTV) building, following the 6.3 earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand on February 22, 2011

cbm New Zealand are showing solidarity with persons affected by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which struck Christchurch on 22 February 2011, by assisting in relief efforts. A team of three disability experts are on the ground and, to date, have responded to over 200 individual cases.

Disability experts

cbm New Zealand have a team of three disability experts in place, who are acting as first response assessors and liaisons with relief support agencies.  This on the ground team is supported by staff in our 0800 centre who are first receivers for any escalated disability specific issues, prioritising issues and working with our on the ground support team to provide the appropriate support for each case.

The service provided by cbm has been made available to all agencies working in the relief effort and we have been mandated by the Ministry of Health as their coordinating body acting on their behalf in Christchurch for this purpose.

Emergency Coordination Centre

cbm New Zealand will also be manning a desk in the Emergency Coordination Centre, providing support to agencies, ministries and council for disability specific matters.  This will include input into the development of strategic plans for longer term support.

To date the team has responded to over 200 individual cases.  This volume is expanding quickly as our services and telephone number are becoming more widely known.

Some of the activities routinely undertaken by the team

  •     Assessing residential care facilities of high dependency persons with disability to identify the ongoing ability to operate within the limitations of the post quake environment and the best course of action for the immediate future.
  •     Visiting persons with disability in their homes to assess their conditions and arrange appropriate relief support.
  •     Working with Welfare Centre based relief staff to assess needs and arrange ongoing support requirements.
  •     Liaising with field staff of relief agencies to address specific disability issues remotely or through visitation to ensure provision of ongoing support needs.
  •     Liaising with call centre staff of the main help lines to address specific disability issues remotely or through visitation to ensure provision of ongoing support needs.
  •     Liaising with disability organisations remotely or through visitation to ensure provision of ongoing support needs.
  •     Briefing mainstream relief agencies on disability specific issues and how to best assess needs.
 
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