Canterbury Earthquake - What you can do!

I don't know what to say. It is truly horrific. My thoughts and love are with everyone affected by yesterday's Canterbury earthquake.

Here is a list of 

USEFUL CONTACTS

• New Zealand Red Cross Person Enquiry Line: 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276)
• For people enquiring about family from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199
• International Visitors in Christchurch who need assistance should call 0800 779 997 (This number is the official earthquake hotline!)
• New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management website, www.mcdem.govt.nz or http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
• Environment Canterbury's earthquake site at http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/.

• Christchurch Airport: http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/ 

If you want to help, here's what you can do:

DONATIONS

Go online and donate to the Salvation Army from anywhere in the world here.

ASB, ANZ and the National Bank are also taking donations.

ASB Bank: Account number: 12-3205-0146808-00. BIC/SWIFT code: ASBBNZ2A

ANZ Bank: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00. BIC/SWIFT code: ANZBAU3M

National Bank: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00. BIC/SWIFT code: ANZBNZ22

I haven't been able to go to the website of the New Zealand Red Cross. It seemed to be momentarily overloaded. But please do try it yourself

You can also donate to Women's refuge here.

You can also donate via GrabOne and 1-dayout.

Whatever charity or organisation you want to go through to make a donation, research them before you make contact to avoid the spammers that are already surfacing!

DONATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGE

An easy thing to do if you are a Vodafone customer, text 'QUAKE' to 333 ($3) or 555 ($5) to DONATE to RED CROSS for Chch Emergency Appeal. 100% of funds goes to Red Cross. A $10 and $20 text donation will be launched on ALL networks later today. Check with your provider! 

DONATING BLOOD

Before you go out to donate blood, contact your local blood bank/Red Cross office etc to make an appointment. Lots of people have already donated, so the blood banks are looking good. Give them a call first to make sure your blood is needed and they have the resources to take it.

TEMPORARY ACCOMODATION

If you are in the Wellington region and have a spare bed or even a couch for Cantabrians being evacuated, please get in touch with the Wellington City Council at (04) 801 4205 or email CD.Welfare@wcc.govt.nz with your details.

If you are in the Auckland region please do the same by calling 0800 Auckland (0800 282 552)

Also check out these facebook pages here and here if you are looking for accomodation yourself or know someone who does.

MUCKING IN 

If you're in Christchurch check out the amazing work done by the UCSA Student Volunteer Army here and join in! 

WELLINGTON ACTORS FOR CANTERBURY 

Wellington improv troupe The Improvisors are donating the proceeds of their Fringe show at Circa Theatre, Wellington to Chch relief. Here is the link to the facebook event but here's what you need to know now:

22-26 February, 7.30pm
Circa Two, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington
Bookings: 04 801 7992 or www.circa.co.nz
Tickets: $18/15

Circa Theatre has also offered it's main venue for a 7:30 pm show on March 7 host inga fundraiser for the Christchurch quake. Show starts 7:30 and tickets will be $25. Obviously they need some content!

So, if you've got something short you'd like to do - on your own, with your band, your dance company whatever - let me know and we'll see what we can make happen. There'll be a facebook event for this real soon but in the meantime you can email Greg at greg@theimprovisors.co.nz.

Another fundraiser event, El Jaguar and Friends Heart Shakytown, is being organised at the Fringe Bar, Corner of Vivian and Cuba Street Wellington for Friday, 25 February from 9.30pm to 11:30pm. The line-up looks fantastic!

I'm sure there is more you can do but I am out of ideas right now. Please leave a comment if you have heard of any other ways to help out!

Lots of aroha to you Cantabrians and to all of those with family and friends affected by the quake. Kia kaha! X