Community Organisations and disaster response
By Bridget Doran and Sarah Gibb
Community organisations are never more crucial, or more appreciated than in a disaster. In recent months many Waikato communities have faced unprecedented challenges. Infrastructure has been destroyed, communication lines have been broken, access to clean water and reliable food sources has been intermittent. While the disaster response will be ongoing for months and years, stories are already emerging of the power of community in uncertain times such as these.
Astounding examples of the value of community have been shared in recent weeks. When we think of people losing their homes, we tend to think of a house, sitting on a street, but actually the people of Coromandel and their community organisations found themselves supporting someone whose boat he lived on had sunk with all his posessions.
Then there are the not so obvious impacts but just as challenging for those in it. An upset neighbour who sought reassurance that her dentures that had been lost at the evacuation centre would be covered by her insurance. After the event, the school had looked hard for her but couldn’t find them. She was so grateful for their care and consideration.
The support that Community Waikato provides for local groups can also become important in disasters. Community transport is one area that reached out for specific help. The standard rules and policies that apply for Ministry of Health support for community transport usually enable mileage reimbursement for the shortest distance by road between a transport provider’s base, and the destination they visit, for example Waikato Hospital. After Cyclone Gabrielle, communities on the Coromandel’s east coast found themselves facing an extra hour’s drive at least to deliver passengers one way to the hospital. Through connections at Community Waikato some measures to make things easier were brokered. Momentum Waikato responded with some funding that not only gave assurance that they could buy the extra fuel, but gave the Tairua Care & Friendship Group a chance to take a few deep breaths to think about how they could keep operating. Also providers were able to be reassured that their mileage claim through Ministry of Health would be increased to reflect their actual route while SH25a is closed.
When volunteers are themselves facing disaster conditions including local destruction, loss of power, and uncertain access to food and communication, finding energy to keep the community functioning as well must be challenging, but resilience and cooperation is what we see. Having support networks built on years of connection around the region groups can find the moral and practical support that they need to keep calm and carry on, as best they can.