Helping each other after a disaster

By Frank Neill

People coming together to help each other out has followed in the wake of earthquakes and other disasters around the world.

While this has happened informally following many disasters, Wellington has a network of Community Emergency Hubs to help communities self-organise after a disaster.

These hubs are places where people can get together and co-ordinate their response to help each other.

“In a disaster such as a big earthquake, there is likely to be widespread damage to power lines, water pipes, buildings, roads, and phone networks so the people you live nearest to will be your most immediate, and ongoing, source of support,” says Heather McCaskill, the Emer-