Latter-day Saint Leader Visits Christchurch

23 September, 2010

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Elder Brent H. Nielson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Pacific Area Presidency visited the Canterbury earthquake zone yesterday to view firsthand the impact this month's 7.1 magnitude earthquake has had on the region. 

As well as visiting with local Latter-day Saints affected by the quake, Elder Nielson presented $180,000 on behalf of the Church to emergency mayoral funds in Selwyn, Waimakariri and Christchurch.  The money will be used to support relief efforts and restore services to the worst affected areas.  Funds came from donations by Mormons in New Zealand and overseas.

Accompanied by his wife Sister Marcia Nielson and Christchurch Stake President Maurice McDonald, Elder Nielson first met with Waimakariri District Mayor Ron Keating in Rangiora.  Elder Neilson presented Mr Keating with a cheque for $50,000 and a 72 hour emergency kit. 

Mr Keating explained how the majority of the damage in his district was due to liquefaction and considerable damage to stop banks along the Waimakariri River.  Many people will not be able to return to their homes.

Elder Nielson’s party then joined the Selwyn District Mayor and Councillors in Rolleston for lunch, during which a 3.6 tremor shook the Council buildings. 

Discussion centred round how the 7.1 earthquake had impacted rural Canterbury and the towns of the Selwyn District.    The District extends from Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps to the Rakaia River including the new Greenlane Fault.  Much of the damage in the Selwyn District is hidden and will become apparent over the coming months.  Mayor Kelvin Coe was delighted to receive the donation of $30,000 towards the Mayoral Emergency Fund and Deputy Mayor John Morton jokingly tried to walk off with the gifted 72 hour kit. 

Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker met with Elder and Sister Nielson in the new Christchurch City Council buildings which overlook some of the seriously damaged parts of the inner city.  As Mayor Parker pointed out various iconic and damaged buildings he explained that the Christchurch City Mayoral Emergency Fund had combined with the Red Cross fund as they were better equipped to help people in need. 

Mr Parker said the timing of the earthquake could not have been better as 300 general practitioners were in town for a medical conference and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from around the country were also in Christchurch to practice for an emergency just like the earthquake.  Ten people had been trapped in earthquake damaged buildings but they were rescued within hours by the USAR.  

Mayor Parker went on to say “We are now into the hardest period of time (post-earthquake) ... as the adrenalin has gone...a sense of anger and frustration has developed as the recovery progress is slow." 

The $100,000 donation from the Church will go into helping those most affected by the earthquake.

In the meetings with the Canterbury mayors Elder Nielson presented sample 72 hour emergency kits which included a list of those items individuals and families could include in their own kits.  Leaders have encouraged members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for decades to prepare for emergencies by storing water, food and other supplies, as well as having on hand portable emergency kits that can sustain life in the event of a disaster. 

The Church donates to many civil defence emergencies around the world.  By donating to the three Canterbury Earthquake Mayoral Emergency Funds the Church is directly helping victims of the earthquake and supporting services to help individuals cope emotionally with the damage caused by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake and 700 plus aftershocks which have followed.

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