5 Mar 2018

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Neighbourhood and community groups looking at how they can help people get better prepared for emergencies may be eligible for a grant from the new Neighbourhood Action Fund.

The fund, which has been set up by Christchurch Civil Defence and Emergency Management, offers grants of up to $5000 to those who are:

  • Developing or distributing resources to help their community get more prepared.
  • Holding community groups to initiate planning for emergencies.
  • Mentoring community groups who are interested in working with their communities to get more prepared.
  • Developing of supporting a community emergency hub: a place for the community to coordinate efforts to help each other during and after a disaster.

Applications for the fund close on 19 March.

“When a disaster happens, aid may not be available for three days or more so you may need to rely on, and help the people around you, to get through,’’ says Rob Orchard, Head of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

“We have been working with communities across the city to raise awareness of risks and hazards, to improve the level of readiness and preparation for emergencies, and to boost our ability to respond and recover when there is an emergency.

“The Neighbourhood Action Fund is designed to make it easier for community groups to instigate their own community response planning and we would really encourage people to make use of it. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a disaster is to connect with your community.’’