CHRISTCHURCH NZ - EARTHQUAKE FEBRUARY 2011
February 26, 2011
New Zeland - showing Epicentre of Earthquake
 Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch after the Earthquake |
 One of many icebergs calved in Lake Tasman by the quake |
22/2/11: Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquake which struck the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, today .
The earthquake measured 6.3 on the Richter Scale and the epicentre was 20 km south-east of the city of Christchurch, at a depth of 5 km. The main shock was around 1 min in duration. Several thousand aftershocks have been recorded.
The quake struck during working hours, and a number of fatalities have already been confirmed. There has been significant property damage, as evidenced by the photos in the media. A sample of some of the devastation can be found through the gallery sourced from the Sydney Morning Herald.
There are no members of the Congregation of the Mission or Daughters of Charity working in New Zealand at the moment, but the Society of St Vincent de Paul is of course active there, and they will be affected directly or by the assistance they will be bringing to those in need. There are three New Zealand Daughters of Charity in the Australian Province of the Daughters (not resident in New Zealand), and they are currently checking on the safety of their relatives and friends.
23/2/11: Up to date information on the earthquake and its aftermath can be obtained from many media outlets, including the New Zealand Herald and News LImited . There is an Earthquake Update section on the Catholic Archdiocese of Christchurch Site and the Catholic NewspaperSite NZ Catholic also carries some information.
23/2/11 Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will support the St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Social Services and other agencies in responding to immediate needs, as well as providing long-term recovery and assistance to those affected by the recent earthquake. [Read More]
24/2/11 Just days after the devastating Christchurch earthquake, the New Zealand Charities Commission has issued a warning to donors to beware of emails from unknown people asking for donations to support the Canterbury relief campaign. [Read More]
Photo above (Courtesy of the Boston Globe) shows inundated Bexley, a suburb of Christchurch, after the earthquake pushed thousands of litres of water and silt into the streets
5/2/11 Message from St Vincent de Paul Society in New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND: The General Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society has posted on its site a letter from the New Zealand National President of the Society. It expresses thanks for assistance give, and outlines how, through the St Vincent de Paul Society further help may be provided for those in need in Christchurch NZ [Read More]
5/3/11 Vinnies: What's been happening in Christchurch since the Quake ?
WELLINGTON NZ: Michael Hanrahan, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in New Zealand has written to the General Council of the Society in Paris with further information from Christchurch. (See also item for 5/3/11.) He gives details of how the Society in Christchurch has been functioning since the earthquake, and the hoped for reopening of Vinnies Stores there. He concludes - "The big message that we must get across at the moment is that the needs in Christchurch are huge, they are extremely varied, and above all, they will be ongoing for a very long time, possibly years ". [Read More]