New Zealand Red Cross Update and links

Welcome to the website of New Zealand Red Cross. In New Zealand and across the globe, Red Cross provides assistance to millions of vulnerable people every year. We help people affected by conflict, disaster and emergency and prepare communities to cope with potential crises.
canterbury earthquake - feb 23 update 0030 hrsA 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Canterbury area at 12.51pm today - February 22. The quake, approximately 5km underground and located 10km south east of the city has caused wide spread damage, bursting sewage lines, damaging buildings and homes, cutting power and telephone lines to many areas of the city. The mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, has declared a state of emergency.Red Cross Christchurch and Timaru teams are on the ground working now, with Nelson and Blenheim teams on their way. Dunedin, Queenstown, Invercargill and West Coast teams are all due to arrive tomorrow morning to assist. We are working with Civil Defence, New Zealand Police, the local councils and agencies and are assisting with First Aid to the injured and provision of welfare. Standardised Red Cross relief supplies being distributed and deployed from around the country.
NZRC is not currently requiring or accepting donations of goods or volunteers at this time. NZRC are currently focusing on roles supporting the CDEM response. Urgent email enquiries can be referred to our National Emergency Operating Centre at nzrceoc@redcross.org.nz .
For welfare related enquiries and requirements for affected persons please call the Government help line on 0800 7799977
For information on the Earthquake response see http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/
To lodge an enquiry in relation to missing relatives please call the NZ Red Cross National Enquiry Centre on 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276) (note this line may be overloaded) International calls can be made to +64 7 8502199
International restoring family links enquiries from Red Cross or Red Crescent national societies can be sent tofamilylinks@redcross.org.nz  further information will be pending.