With help from the Rural Support Trust, Red Cross staff and volunteers have visited every home in Seddon, Ward, Hawarden, Waikari, Kaikoura and the isolated settlements of Clarence, Kekerengu, Goose Bay and the surrounding farming districts. The purpose of these visits was to check people’s wellbeing, and provide relevant information and support available to them.

It’s becoming clear that this is going to be a complex recovery. Different communities are facing their own unique issues and it’s important that we identify and address these needs effectively instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Since the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, Red Cross volunteers have logged more than 9,500 hours of service, delivered 250 parcels of food, visited 2600 homes through outreach and door-knocking projects, and installed hand-washing stations in Kaikoura.

Damaged Home Grant still available

Red Cross has also extended the deadline for applications for the Damaged Home Grant to 10 March 2017.

The NZ$1,000 grant is available for people whose residential homes received either a red or yellow sticker, or were required to evacuate their homes for seven days or longer following the 14 November earthquakes.

For more information or to apply for a Damaged Home Grant:

· Email EQGrant@redcross.org.nz

· Free-phone 0508 4 GRANTS (447 2687)

$3.2 million raised

To date Red Cross has raised $3.2 million for the November 2016 Earthquake Appeal.

“I’d like to thank everyone who’s generously donated to our appeal so far,” says Mrs Smith. “As well as many individual donations, we received a large number of donations from businesses, community groups and schools who pitched in to raise funds to help their fellow Kiwis. The response has been deeply encouraging and enables us to make grants and programmes available to Kiwis who need it the most.”

People can donate to Red Cross’ November Earthquake 2016 appeal to assist affected people in the Hurunui, Kaikoura, Marlborough and Wellington regions with grants, psychosocial support and outreach programmes and other support as needed.

· Donate at redcross.org.nz

· Text REDCROSS to 3181 to make an instant $3 donation

● By post to: New Zealand Red Cross – Supporter Services, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

● By calling 0800 RED CROSS

Infographic: January 2017 Red Cross response and recovery (PDF)