Wanganui committed to helping Christchurch - 25/02/2011Mayor Annette Main today said that Wanganui District Council is working at a national and regional level to provide assistance following the Christchurch earthquake.
“The call centre for assistance and missing persons is operating from Palmerston North and we are providing 15 staff per day to assist in there,” Mayor Main said.
“The call centre is operating 24/7 and our staff started working shifts on Friday and will continue over the weekend and on Monday at this stage. It is a difficult, and at times traumatic job, and I really appreciate their commitment.
“We also have specialist staff on standby to assist in Christchurch when required, including building inspectors, engineers, public information staff and experienced Emergency Operations Centre staff. Details of these staff have been provided to the National Crisis Management Centre and they will co-ordinate what is needed in Christchurch.”
Members of the public have been contacting the council this week with offers of help.
Many people understandably want to be able to provide support in some way, and we will continue to provide updated information about what is useful to the people of Christchurch as we receive it.
“At this stage we have received a number of offers of temporary accommodation for people who cannot live in their homes or who simply want to leave Christchurch for a break,” Mayor Main said.
“These have been forwarded to Housing New Zealand who is co-ordinating nationally, requests for, and offers of, accommodation so we ask that those who want to help contact Housing New Zealand directly.”
Housing New Zealand’s phone number is 0800 435 700 or go to their website www.housinghelp.govt.nz. | 
