Quakes can't stop Cantabs' generosity

Despite being devastated by earthquakes, more Christchurch residents have donated to Save the Children's East Africa Food Crisis appeal than any other Kiwi community.

Based on total donations as of Monday, Christchurch residents' donations made up 14 per cent of all donations.

Auckland was next at 11 per cent of the total, followed by Wellington with 10 per cent.

In total, New Zealanders have contributed $237, 600 to Save the Children New Zealand's East Africa Food Crisis.

The average donation from any one donor is $137.

Save the Children New Zealand chief executive Liz Gibbs says while all New Zealanders have shown amazing generosity towards East Africa, the numbers of donors from Christchurch is a testament to that community's "open-handedness and compassion".

"I think that part of it may be that when you deal with challenges yourself you may be even more aware of how important help and support are," Ms Gibbs says.

"When you think about how much New Zealand has already donated to Christchurch, the generosity that we've had for our East Africa appeal is really staggering. To also see people in Christchurch being so generous themselves is an especially good story. In times like these I think it is really important to keep celebrating this huge spirit of generosity."

Save the Children has worked in East Africa for over twenty years and is in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia providing life-saving nutrition and water programmes, supporting breastfeeding mothers and feeding thousands of acutely malnourished children across the region.

Donations can be made to the East Africa fund here.