A bridge in Gisborne is a mangled wreck following Cyclone Gabrielle. Video / George Heard / Supplied
Kiwis who want to help Cyclone Gabrielle victims can donate money, essentials, or their time.
Thousands of people have been impacted by the cyclone, with some having to flee their homes and many may never get to return.
At least four people have died, hundreds of others remain uncontactable and thousands are still without power and access to essential supplies.
People affected need your support and the Herald is appealing to readers to donate to the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in the areas where a state of emergency has been declared.
The Government declared a national state of emergency on Tuesday morning, just the third time in the nation’s history, as Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc across the North Island.
The declaration will apply to Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay.
The Red Cross is asking people to donate money instead of goods or services, saying this was the best way to make sure local communities get help in the most effective way.
People wanting to donate to the Mayoral Relief Funds can do so by contacting the respective councils from the affected regions.
Mayoral Relief Funds help local communities support families, community organisations and marae after an emergency.
In Auckland, an Auckland Emergency Management spokeswoman says the cyclone’s aftermath continues to be a serious and significant event for the region, especially for the west coast.
“We implore Aucklanders to help by continuing to stay away from these areas and for residents to continue to follow the advice and direction of Auckland Emergency Management and our emergency services,” she said.
“The ground is unstable, the soil is saturated and there may be new ground movement in days to come. For safety reasons, please leave this work to the experts and avoid the impacted areas.”
She urged people to continue to look after one another.
Hundreds of shelters are in operation across the regions to offer people who have been evacuated, some with damaged homes and others who lost their homes.
To help with the cleanup, you can join the Student Volunteer Army https://sva.org.nz/
Orange Sky, which offers laundry and shower services, welcomes donations of toiletries (but not towels or blankets as they have no storage). Details on www.orangesky.org.nz
To request this Auckland-city wide mobile service, contact Helen on 021 026 77298 or info@orangesky.org.nz
If you need help, or know someone who needs assistance, then:
When life, health or property is in danger, the advice is to call 111 immediately.
Civil Defence Centres (CDC) provide a safe place to eat, sleep and access essential support services. They have stretcher beds, blankets, food, water, welfare support agencies and psychosocial support.
Shelters provide a safe place to hunker down while the worst of the weather passes. They are not equipped for extended stays, but blankets and hot drinks will be available. Council staff will be on hand to help.
At these places you can bring your pets, but dogs must be on a leash and if possible muzzled. You may be asked to keep dogs in cars and cats in a cage or carrier when possible.
Across the North Island, there are 139 places to go to in the affected areas including CDCs, religious centres, marae evacuation centre (EC) shelters, support hubs and community led centres (CLC) such as the Pan-African Community Centre.
There are two CDCs in Northland; in Auckland there are 17 CDCs, five mosques, one evacuation centre, 10 shelters, four community support hubs, and 18 community-led centres; Waikato has 11 CDC, 10 CLC, five EC, and one marae; Tairāwhiti/Gisborne has 32 CDC, and one EC; Bay of Plenty has 12 EC; and Hawke’s Bay has two CDCs, 18 marae, and an emergency centre.
Aerial photographs show the extent of damage caused by a landslip at Muriwai. Photo / George Heard
AUCKLAND
Auckland Emergency Management https://www.aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz/ is the go-to website for local advice, updates and locations of all the centres and support hubs for those in need.
Those needing urgent accommodation should contact Auckland Emergency Management on 0800 222200.
