This about sums it up
Mr Rudd is right. The people of Christchurch have been kicked in the guts.
It hurts to see what is happening to my fellow kiwis and I know I have done a hell of a lot of diaries on this but I won't apologize for doing so
There are plenty of diaries on Libya and Wisconsin.
If anyone would like to donate you can do so here:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/...
The death toll now stands at 113 and still expected to rise with at least 200 missing, with grave fears for them.
Right now there is a recovery effort going on at the Christchurch Cathedral where 22 people are feared dead and at the Canterbury Television Building where between 60 - 120 people are feared dead.
There has been no rescue of people that are alive for 40 hours.
Here is a 23 minute video of the events of the past few days:
This next video was taken minutes after the quake in Cathedral Square:
More footage minutes after the quake
Details of the call President Obama made to John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand yesterday:
The President called Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand to express deep condolences over the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand, on February 22, and to reaffirm the offer of American assistance as New Zealand recovers. The President noted that a U.S. search and rescue team was on its way to New Zealand, and said the United States was ready to provide whatever further support was needed in this difficult time. The President underscored the close and enduring friendship between the American people and the people of New Zealand. Prime Minister Key described the determination of the people of Christchurch and New Zealand in the face of this tragedy, and expressed appreciation for U.S. support.
I would like to say a very big thank to to everyone here at Dailykos for all the love and support that they have shown to me. I haven't personally been affected.. well thats not true.. I may not have known anyone that has been killed but I spent a lot of time in Christchurch and these are/were my fellow New Zealanders
You are a fantastic bunch of people.
Love you all.
Oh and one more thing... tell your family and friends you love them each and everyday.
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:27:07 PM
Search and rescue experts who have lowered a camera into the main part of ChristChurch Cathedral say there have been no signs of life.
One rescuer, who did not want to be named, said stone and rubble was filling the building up to a height of around 20 metres.
"We put a camera in before but there was nothing. No sound, nothing."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:31:34 PM
I also need to say that it is not only Kiwi's that have been affected... there are numerous Chinese and Japanese students missing in the ctv building, at least one Australian killed, and at least three from the UK killed and others from all over the world. Christchurch is a city that people come to from everywhere... this truely is an international disaster.
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 08:03:55 PM
1.50pm: The cost of rebuilding Christchurch will be more than $10b, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.
The strength of the earthquake may have been magnified as it reflected off hard volcanic rock below its epicentre, GNS Science earthquake geologist Kelvin Berryman says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murry McCully says the tragedy is not just New Zealand's, but the world's. He said the government was preparing to give many overseas families "some very bad news".
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 09:16:59 PM
2.45pm: The council has distributed 780 portaloos around the city, and another 1200 are coming from NZ and the US.
More than 350 people at the Cowles Stadium welfare centre are relocating to Rangiora and Rolleston. A council spokesperson said the centre would close at 4pm due to concerns about an outbreak of measles or diarrhoea, and sanitation worries.
1.50pm: The cost of rebuilding Christchurch will be more than $10b, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says.
The strength of the earthquake may have been magnified as it reflected off hard volcanic rock below its epicentre, GNS Science earthquake geologist Kelvin Berryman says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murry McCully says the tragedy is not just New Zealand's, and the government was preparing to give many overseas families "some very bad news".
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 09:25:42 PM
any Kossack roleplayers might be interested in rpgnow's New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Relief bundle. Basically, a bunch of RPG publishers have gotten together to give out a whole pile of PDFs in exchange for a $20 donation. Great books and an even better cause, so it's hard to go wrong.
http://www.rpgnow.com/...
Thanks Kinak!
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 09:31:26 PM
whiteware maker Fisher & Paykel Appliances has set up free community laundry service centres in Christchurch for people affected by the earthquake.
Two sites are currently open. The first is in Hornby at 79 Shands Rd. The second is in Kaiapoi at corner of Berswick and Charles St (located in a portacom). Both are open from 8am to 4pm.
Fisher & Paykel says it plans to soon have additional sites operational at various locations around the city. The company provided a similar service following the September quake, however a site it was running at Aranui is no longer operational due to a lack of water and sewerage facilities.
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 09:32:48 PM
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 09:34:51 PM
Day four photos
http://www.3news.co.nz/...