Flood relief efforts gain momentum

Work has begun on getting help to those affected by the weekend's floods.

The Red Cross has set up an appeal fund, Wanganui Mayor Annette Main has established a mayoral relief fund and the Manawatu Whanganui Regional Disaster Fund has been activated. A number of organisations are also collecting food.

New Zealand Red Cross secretary general Tony Paine said the organisation's emergency response teams were busy over the weekend responding to the floods, but as the scale of the damage becomes apparent, a comprehensive recovery job would be needed.

"The floods are the worst disaster to affect New Zealand since the Canterbury earthquakes. Thousands of people will need help to get their lives and livelihoods back on track," Mr Paine said.

An appeal has been launched to help those affected by the floods in Wanganui, Rangitikei, Taranaki and, earlier in the month, Hokitika and Dunedin.

"One hundred per cent of the funds raised for the June 2015 Floods Appeal will go directly towards helping those affected by the flooding," Mr Paine said.

Meanwhile, two local flood relief funds have been set up.

Mayor Annette Main said the council had received many offers of help and money.

"I have a mayor's special fund which can be used for this purpose, and the council will also be contributing to the Manawatu Whanganui Regional Disaster Fund. We have already had offers of financial support from other councils and agencies," Ms Main said.

Meanwhile, TopKids in Victoria Ave has offered their premises as drop-off point for people wanting to donate food to the City Mission's Foodbank.

Head teacher Sherylee Spencer said people were welcome to drop off non-perishable food items.

Ms Spencer said staff at the daycare centre wanted to do something to help.

"Some of our families and staff members have been affected by flooding, and some of our staff couldn't get to work after the flooding".

Marian Dean, manager of the City Mission, said food could also be dropped off at the City's Mission Foodbank at 62A Taupo Quay - although currently the foodbank can only be accessed from St Hill St.

Ms Dean said the City Mission was able to help anyone who had been affected by the floods.

"People need to have their emergency registration form with them, which they should have been given either at the evacuation centres or Work and Income."

The Whanganui Regional Health Network in Heads Rd is the drop-off point for food and household items that will be delivered by the Red Cross to families in isolated rural areas.

All GP clinics are open as usual, as is Whanganui Hospital.