Christchurch and New Zealand are now in recovery mode. Both in the sense of , the search and rescue is now turned to recovery and recovery as in trying to emotionally come to terms with what has happened.
Yesterday there was a memorial serve in Westminster Abbey Hayley Westenra, who was born and raised n Christchurch, sung an emotional National Anthem. Around 5,000 kiwi's turned up and quite a few had to stand outside in the freezing cold. Its is particularly hard for the New Zealanders who live overseas to see what is going on... you feel pretty helpless so this was a great way to send their love and support to the people back home
In what was an extremely sad and emotional moment for everyone, late last night it was announced that the search and rescue teams had shifted from a rescue operation to a recovery one. Although logically this we all knew that it would happen at some point, it still felt like a kick in the guts. And the pain must have been so very intense for the families of the missing.
The brother of one of the missing people says he accepts the decision.
Maurice Gardiner was speaking after Civil Defence boss John Hamilton announced this afternoon that he, search and rescue experts and police and fire chiefs believed there was no chance there could be any more survivors from the magnitude 6.3 quake which struck the city nine days ago.
Mr Gardiner's sister, Deborah Manning, is one of those who is still missing. She worked in the Canterbury TV building, where most of the fatalities occurred.
"I am absolutely happy with the decision," Mr Gardiner told NZPA. "At the end of the day, they (the search and rescue teams) are the ones that have to do the searching ...
they are the experts.
"For me personally, I'm happy that we are pursuing this new area.
"Obviously I would like my sister back with us, (but) at this stage it's not to be."
On the hopes of finding his sister alive, Mr Gardiner noted that Mr Hamilton and others had not ruled out a miracle.
"It hasn't extinguished hope for them, they've said that miracles can happen... so I'm going along with what they say."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
The Prime Minister of New Zealand said, yesterday, that a National Memorial will likely take place within the next 2 - 3 weeks:
"
At an appropriate time in the coming weeks we will hold a national memorial service in Christchurch to honour those who have died... but today is a day when we as a nation, along with our many friends around the world, mark with a heavy heart and great sadness this moment of unbearable loss for the many families involved.
"I think the country and world recognises the significance of this event - in terms of loss of life, it's likely to be one of New Zealand's most significant.
"All New Zealanders will want to mourn that loss and to grieve for those that have lost their lives and for the significant disruption to our second largest city."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/...
Kia kaha the people of Christchurch and New Zealand... and to all those around the world that lost a loved one. Kia kaha
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Mar 3, 2011, 12:57:29 PM
Death toll has risen by two to 163
Updated by GlowNZ at Thu Mar 3, 2011, 03:57:44 PM
Donations can be made here:
http://www.redcross.org.nz/...
http://www.facebook.com/...