MORE Earthquakes

I live in Christchurch New Zealand which has just had is second strong earthquake in less than 6 months. It has been awful in many ways to see my city devastated - many familiar landmarks are now simply rubble and many of those still have dead bodies waiting to be retrieved. it is a terrible time for families and friends waiting to have the deaths of those reported missing confirmed.

At the same time it's amazing to see the way many people rise to the occasion by getting out to help and also to see the number of people who would like to help but who have not been able to find a way to do so. Those who can dig are off removing mud that has come up from the ground - "liquefaction" but many people are unable to dig or perhaps like me unable to dig for long without putting out their backs or something similar.

I think we have done better this time around but, of course, there is more to do. Yes, I think we have been able to look after each other within communities better this time but we also need to be able to work and establish contact across communities. My area, for example has not been so badly affected, but people on the other side of the City have been. The issue has been how to connect with people over there who could do with a hand. This is challenging because many people are without power, phone or internet. On top of this it appears that local organisations are not necessarily using the resources that they have here. The local red cross for example has chosen to use international assistance for visiting those in need whilst their local volunteers have been put off because normal services are not operating. Many of the local people are looking for ways to get out and assist others and it would seen that the need for this is certainly there.

It seems that there is quite a need for coordination at local level as well as at City, regional and national levels. Should we at local level develop our own plans for how to manage disasters independently of the official civil defence channels which are more focused (rightly) on the big issues that arise at times like these?