Tragedy in New Zealand

The first issue of the e-zine is on hold. I and a friend are currently organising a ska/reggae gig to raise funds (and supplies if the charities have started accepting them by then) in Auckland, New Zealand for the survivors of the horrific earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am not sure when the first issue of the e-zine will be out - it depends on how soon I have finished working on this benefit gig. I will keep you all updated.

The earthquake struck at 12.51 pm on Tuesday the 22nd of February - Christchurch's third major earthquake since October. The epicentre of the quake was in the port town of Lyttleton. It was a magnitude of 6.3 and was 5km underground. For the first time in New Zealand's history, a national State of Emergency has been declared.

About 60% of the houses and buildings in Lyttleton have been completely destroyed and the people of Lyttleton are without power and water. Water is being taken in by the only road open, via Governors Bay. 2 men died there in a landslide caused by the quake.

The central business district of Christchurch has also been hit very hard. As it was lunchtime, many people were hit by falling masonry etc. Many people were also trapped inside buildings. Some were crushed underneath falling parts of buildings. Cars were crushed and railway lines were snapped and bent as effortlessly as if they were pieces of string.

Rescue teams have been working around the clock since the earthquake to rescue the living and retrieve the bodies from where they are trapped inside buildings that have collapsed. The current death toll is 76 and counting; around 300 people have been reported missing.

Thousands of people are now homeless and without water. The dairy giant Fonterra is transporting water in to the city using tankers that are normally used for milk but it is expected to run out in the next few days. Christchurch residents have been told not to flush their toilets (the sewerage system is ruined and sewerage is leaking straight in to the rivers), shower or bathe.

Electricity is back on to much of the city and the power companies are working on re-connecting power to the rest of the city.

Rescue teams and police from the US, UK, Taiwan, Australia and Japan have been arriving in Christchurch since yesterday to provide relief for the New Zealand workers who have been putting their all in to getting people out of the rubble.

All of New Zealand has been in a state of shock and grief since the quake struck. Many people are still trying to get hold of family and friends to find out if they have survived or not. Many people have lost family or friends to the quake. Most people I know have got family and/or friends there. We have had messages of support pouring in from prominent politicians, royalty and religious leaders.

I personally am stunned that this has happened and have been watching and listening to the news in tears. Horrific first-hand accounts are coming out of Christchurch now. There are reports of the streets being strewn with bodies underneath rubble; there have been three accounts of babies (a 5 month old, a 9 month old and a 15 month old) being killed in their homes by a piece of furniture falling on top of them - the 9 month old was killed by a falling tv, one of the others by a falling bookshelf.

There are accounts coming out of mothers dying but the baby being ok - one mother in Cashel Mall was hit by falling building materials and died with her baby in her arms. Another mother was in her car and the car was crushed; the mother was killed but her baby in the back seat survived. Many people have had limbs amputated in order to be rescued from the rubble.

Like thousands of other New Zealanders, I am in shock and disbelief and am anxious to do as much as I can from here to help the survivors of this horrific disaster. Yesterday I contacted Atsushi from local reggae/rocksteady band Atsushi and the Moisties and together we are organising a ska/reggae benefit gig to raise funds for the survivors of the quake.

If you or anyone you know can volunteer to help with a venue, bands, poster design, printing and ads, please email me at skinbyrdprideworldwide@gmail.com.

You can also donate towards disaster relief at www.redcross.org.uk. No donation is too small.

My thoughts are with all who are going through this horrific time in Christchurch and the surrounding areas.