Committed to Christchurch
One year on from the earthquake that claimed 185 lives in Christchurch, Salvation Army recovery personnel predict a tough year ahead for many eastern suburbs residents in particular.
The 12-month insurance cover of rent for insured homeowners forced from their properties is beginning to expire, leaving families with the often impossible task of paying mortgages and rates on houses they can’t live in, as well as rent. Quake-related redundancies will exacerbate the situation, says Earthquake Response Manager Bruce Coffey.
He expects a new wave of mainly middle-income families will seek assistance during this year as their budgets collapse under the strain, and says there are already cases of people moving back into their damaged homes because they can’t afford to pay overheads on two dwellings. ‘People are saying they have no option except to move back into derelict homes or put a tent or caravan on the back section, with or without running water, so we expect more people to be driven back into substandard homes once their accommodation assistance runs out.’
Client referrals and demand for services have already been growing as The Salvation Army’s range of services is better understood by the public and its reputation as an organisation that gets the job done becomes increasingly recognised by other agencies. Another emerging challenge is the number of isolated, elderly people being overwhelmed by the complex and usually frustrating negotiations with insurance companies, EQC and other bureaucracies, and finding themselves unable to make the tough decisions needed to move on from their damaged homes.
‘Often, the reaction is to go inside, close the door and avoid dealing with the problems—this is not uncommon,’ Bruce says. ‘Our big concern is that in a couple of years, there’s the possibility of seeing some of these older folk evicted because they’ve been unable to make the decisions they need to make.’
Long-term financial pressures and the ongoing disillusionment and uncertainty associated with multiple insurance claims, rezoning, property repairs and trying to make major life decisions are compounded by the trauma and stress sparked by every aftershock. There have been more than 3100 magnitude three or greater aftershocks since last February, including a series of up to magnitude six quakes on 23 December 2011.
Resilience challenged by aftershocks
Social worker Wilfrid McKerras says residents are fairly resilient and stoically get on with day-to-day life, but the aftershocks and ongoing frustrations mean many people are so focused on day-to-day living that they neglect their emotional health. A lot of people who have not dealt with past issues of loss and grief are finding these are resurfacing because of the ongoing pressures, he says
Jocelyn Smith coordinates a team providing support for students and staff at 15 schools predominantly in the severely damaged eastern suburbs. Their role also involves assisting with school field trips and fun-filled events for children. She says many parents—especially single parents—are under considerable stress dealing with traumatised children and maintaining a home under trying conditions, and rarely have time to look after their own emotional health. ‘These are people who have been living with high tension for over a year now,’ she says. ‘We aim to offer moments of joy and relief from some of the ongoing strain and tensions faced in these quake-affected days.’
Gilly Blacklee manages three teams of mobile Community Care workers. She says the larger aftershocks in December left already anxious residents badly shaken and despondent, feeling that their situation seems to have no end. ‘We see people who are quite volatile who wouldn’t normally be that way, and we’re seeing the symptoms of depression,’ she says.
Twelve months on, Salvation Army social workers are becoming more involved in complex case management, referring those in need of treatment on to mental health agencies.
Response to The Salvation Army's Community Care Vans, supported by Westpac Bank, have been very positive. Westpac has established a website to provide up-to-date information on the location of the vans. The Community Care vans give people an easy location to access help and referral information, or simply to have a chat over a coffee and receive some much-needed emotional support.
Salvation Army pulls together
The social work, school community workers, community care and pastoral support team, managed by Bruce Coffey, works hand-in-hand with local Salvation Army corps (churches) and Community Ministries centres. Christchurch’s Community Ministries centres have distributed the bulk of quake-related welfare support, with most seeing increases in service provision of several hundred per cent over the past year. Corps have furnished volunteers and offered spiritual and practical support for many Christchurch residents.
The Salvation Army played a significant and rapidly expanding role in Canterbury from the first few hours after the September 2010 7.1 magnitude quake. In the immediate aftermath of the 6.3 magnitude 22 February 2011 quake, Salvation Army Emergency Services served up to 4700 meals a day to displaced residents and emergency service workers, providing more than 75,000 meals. Around 1200 officers and staff, from as far away as Australia, converged on the city to join psychosocial teams that visited in excess of 100,000 affected households in Christchurch and surrounding areas
Since the September 2010 quake, The Salvation Army has spent around $8 million dollars in welfare support, including food, clothing, furniture, grocery, petrol and hardware vouchers, as well as the provision of $500 Care Cards for the financially strapped. Respite holidays have been provided for traumatised families and individuals needing to get out of the region for a break.
When domestic water and sewage services were in disarray, The Salvation Army provided $1 million to fund 20,900 chemical toilets. It also contributed three mobile, custom-designed shower units comprising 21 shower and changing cubicles, costing around $130,000 to build, ship and operate.
In addition, many corps and Community Ministries centres saw steep increases in demand for their help as thousands of individuals and families left Christchurch to seek refuge in other parts of the country.
Generous public support
The Salvation Army’s practical and high-visibility work encouraged donations of $18.3 million to The Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal. In addition, corporate New Zealand provided a range of goods, services and volunteers for Salvation Army projects.
A side effect of The Salvation Army’s work in Christchurch has been a heightened public awareness of the Army’s wider work and a greater willingness by the public and companies to support it. This has been illustrated in greater support for Salvation Army fundraising appeals since the quake.
The Salvation Army's structure allows it to quickly call on resources and be operational almost instantaneously—and this type of practical, on the ground work is the response people value.
Looking ahead
Territorial Commander Commissioner Don Bell says Salvation Army officers, staff, church members and volunteers—particularly local personnel who suffered property damage and personal disruption—responded with energy and commitment to the recovery work. This provided immeasurable relief to thousands of Cantabrians. ‘The Army remains strongly committed to supporting Canterbury communities for the long term,’ he says.
National head of The Salvation Army’s earthquake response, Lieut-Colonel Lyndon Buckingham, expects the year ahead to be at least as challenging as 2011. He says one of the key aims will be to build long-term resilience in quake-affected residents and among Salvation Army personnel involved in the earthquake recovery work.
‘The Salvation Army has been part of the fabric of the city of Christchurch since the late 1800s, and serving its people will remain high on our agenda for the foreseeable future. The strength of the Canterbury people, assisted by so many from around New Zealand and around the world, shows us that in the saddest and toughest of times, people want to help bring hope and healing. It is our privilege to be at work as part of the recovery and rebuilding process of this beautiful city and its people.’