After Friday’s floods in Auckland, hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes and thousands had their possessions damaged or destroyed.
So far 102 properties have been red stickered - meaning the property is unsafe to enter, and 375 yellow stickered, with temporary entry allowed to remove personal possessions
There’s already been more than 10,000 insurance claims and that number is expected to rise.
In response to the devastation, relief agencies and local communities have been supporting those most affected by the floods with accommodation, clothing, food and supplies.
Give $$$$
The number one thing charities need is cash.
By donating money you provide those working with the most affected, the most flexible type of help.
Donating money lets people use it on things they need most and empowers local agencies to help in the most effective way.
Find out what’s needed most
On Saturday afternoon, St Leonard’s School evacuation centre was gifted $500 of KFC by a generous West Auckland local – about 30 minutes after dinner had been served.
If you’d like to donate items to the families impacted by the floods the best thing to do is find out what the organisations working with the communities on the ground need the most.
According to charity Nurturing Families, deodorant has been one of the most requested items for the people living without access to showers.
Cleaning products such as brooms, mops, and disinfectant are also in demand as families are returning to their homes to clean up.
Tayla Nasmith from Nurturing Families says “we desperately need help with non-perishable foods and cleaning products for families who have lost their belongings and are needing to go back to their homes to clean up”.
“I want everyone to know if they need help, help is there and we will do whatever we can to help in any way.”
If you’re giving clothing please make sure it’s good quality with no rips and stains.
Right now charities across Auckland need:
– Cleaning products
– Food
– Toiletries
– Nappies
– Blankets
– Sleeping bags
– New pillows
– Children’s clothing
- Rain clothes
Volunteer your time
The city’s waste disposal services have been overwhelmed by the debris that’s piling up on the streets around the city.
The Student Volunteer Army is looking for support over the next three weeks for help with the clean up.
They welcome all assistance, but right now they’re looking for people with trucks or cars with trailers, and people with first aid training, professional health and safety experience.
Sign up on their website.
Grass-roots community group Sunday Blessings is providing hot kai and an emergency supply room with a safe, calm space at Ellen Melville Centre in Auckland’s city centre.
The organisation also needs more volunteers.
Co-founder of Sunday Blessings Danielle LeGallais says "with community support we have been able to provide emergency facilities, supplies, kai and welfare support to victims, often presenting in poor health”.
“People from all walks of life in a position to help have done so, and that is testament to our capabilities of being a united community when our neighbour needs our help.
“We needed guidance and strong leadership but never received it, so we mobilised ourselves.”
Organisations supporting those in need:
- Nurturing Families – West Auckland @nurturingfamiliesnz
- Sunday Blessings - Central Auckland @sundayblessingsakl
- Visionwest Community Trust - West Auckland - 09 818 0700
- The Kindness Collective – @kindnesscollectivefoundation
- Muma Food Bank -south auckland - 0800 866 862
- Red Cross - 0800 733 27677
- Te Whanau o Waipareira - West Auckland - 09 836 6683
- Manurewa Marae, is taking kai donations, 81 Finlayson Ave Clendon Park
More stories:
You don’t need to pay rent for a flooded house you can’t live in
If it’s partially uninhabitable, then you can pay reduced rent.
Can I get a refund? Know your rights when floods disrupt your plans
A handy guide so you don’t wind up paying rent for a flooded home that you can’t live in anymore.
We need a new way to talk about extreme weather
Climate change means discussing weather as “one-in-100-year events” doesn’t work anymore