Getting the message across in 21 languages

Police constable Ashlesh Kumar is one of several locals who have stepped up to participate in the TMC project. He tells the Civil Defence message in Punjabi. Picture by Avneesh Vincent

A new video being launched in Gisborne tomorrow features Civil Defence messages in 21 languages.

It is the brainchild of the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council (TMC).

The hour-and-a-half video features locals of different ethnicities, reading a script in their own language on how people can access help and make emergency plans during such scenarios as fire, flooding, and earthquakes.

TMC president Arish Naresh said the video begins with introductory messages from  Mayor Rehette Stolz and  Gisborne District Council welfare lead Dallas Haynes followed by edited snippets of each speaker. Each snippet is 3-5 minutes long.

“The video will be produced in such a way that say, if you are a Hindi, Chinese or Japanese or belonging to other ethnic groups, you can just click the link on your preferred language,” Mr Naresh said.

“We had intended to get 10 languages covered off but due to the generosity of time from a number of ethnic leaders, we now have 21 different languages covered”.

The script explains what constitutes an emergency and how every household should take steps to store enough food and water, and have a portable radio and flashlights.

Contact details are given for TMC and local radio stations.

It also outlines what to have in an emergency grab bag which is something TMC will provide to ethnic families in the coming months, along with support to create emergency plans for each household.

Mr Naresh said migrant, refugee, and multicultural communities could contact TMC through Facebook messaging or by emailing diversetairawhiti@gmail.com to register their interest in the free emergency kits which usually retail for approximately $350.

Mr Naresh said one of the reasons behind creating the video came from the fact that many people were not seeking help from TMC, even in times of emergency.

“Maybe they are shy or used to helping themselves or maybe think they can make it, that people don’t reach out for the basic things. But we are here to say to them, that it’s OK asking for help, especially during times of need and during a crisis.”

The idea first came during Covid-19.

Mr Naresh said council members noticed that numerous videos encouraging people to get vaccinated, were being broadcast nationwide in multiple languages.

“That’s how it all came about,” Mr Naresh said.

After the launch the TMC will move to stage two, which will involve holding several emergency-related workshops in Tairāwhiti.

The snippets of each ethnic speaker will be shared on all social  media platforms including on websites such as the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and local Civil Defence channels that have collaborated in the project.

Mr Naresh acknowledged the  Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mātai Medical Research Institute, Ministry of Social Development, NZCT, and videographer Cody Keepa for their support in production of the video as well as the support to deliver the emergency kits and workshops at no cost.