
A video of a presentation by Thomas Petschner during the Resilience and Response Stream of the 2016 People in Disasters Conference. The presentation is titled, "Medical Clowning in Disaster Zones".The abstract for this presentation reads as follows: To be in a crisis caused by different kinds of natural disasters (as well as a man made incidents), dealing with ongoing increase of problems and frequent confrontation with very bad news isn't something that many people can easily cope with. This applies obviously to affected people but also to the members of SAR teams, doctors in the field and the experienced humanitarians too. The appropriate use of humour in crisis situations and dis-functional environments is a great tool to make those difficult moments more bearable for everyone. It helps injured and traumatised people cope with what they're facing, and can help them to recover more quickly too. At the same time humorous thinking can help to solve some of the complex problems emergency responders face. This is in addition to emergency and medical only reactions - allowing for a more holistic human perspective, which can provide a positive lasting effect. The ability to laugh is hardwired into our systems bringing a huge variety of physical, mental and social benefits. Even a simple smile can cultivate optimism and hope, while laughter can boost a hormone cocktail - which helps to cope with pain, enhance the immune system, reduce stress, re-focus, connect and unite people during difficult times. Humour as an element of psychological response in crisis situations is increasingly understood in a much wider sense: as the human capacity to plan and achieve desired outcomes with less stress, thus resulting in more 'predictable' work in unpredictable situations. So, if we approach certain problems in the same way Medical Clowns do, we may find a more positive solution. Everyone knows that laughter is an essential component of a healthy, happy life. The delivery of 'permission to laugh' into disaster zones makes a big difference to the quality of life for everyone, even if it's for a very short, but important period of time. And it's crucial to get it right as there is no second chance for the first response.
A video of a presentation by Dr Duncan Webb, Partner at Lane Neave, during the third plenary of the 2016 People in Disasters Conference. The presentation is titled, "Loss of Trust and other Earthquake Damage".The abstract for this presentation reads as follows: It was predictable that the earthquakes which hit the Canterbury region in 2010 and 2011 caused trauma. However, it was assumed that recovery would be significantly assisted by governmental agencies and private insurers. The expectation was that these organisations would relieve the financial pressures and associated anxiety caused by damage to property. Some initiatives did exactly that. However, there are many instances where difficulties with insurance and related issues have exacerbated the adverse effects of the earthquakes on people's wellness. In some cases, stresses around property issues have become and independent source of extreme anxiety and have had significant impacts on the quality of people's lives. Underlying this problem is a breakdown in trust between citizen and state, and insurer and insured. This has led to a pervading concern that entitlements are being denied. While such concerns are sometimes well founded, an approach which is premised on mistrust is frequently highly conflicted, costly, and often leads to worse outcomes. Professor Webb will discuss the nature and causes of these difficulties including: the complexity of insurance and repair issues, the organisational ethos of the relevant agencies, the hopes of homeowners and the practical gap which commonly arises between homeowner expectation and agency response. Observations will be offered on how the adverse effects of these issues can be overcome in dealing with claimants, and how such matters can be managed in a way which promotes the wellness of individuals.
A news item titled, "Council Rates Rebate", published on the Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre's website on Friday, 23 September 2011.
An entry from Deb Robertson's blog for 20 September 2012 entitled, "A few snapshots of the residential red-zone....".
Kao Wei Liang, Team Leader of the Taiwan USAR team, being farewelled at the Christchurch International Airport after helping out with the emergency response to the Canterbury Earthquake.
Provides a map, the geological background, describes the effects, both in Christchurch and its surrounding areas, the damage to notable buildings, the financial exposure, the emergency response and relief efforts and the media coverage of the earthquake.
Blog of Action for Christchurch East, a group campaigning for the rights of residents in the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch. Includes discussion of political and social issues, delays to insurance payments and repairs, and protest actions in response.
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 30 August 2014 entitled, "A photographic tour of Christchurch".
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 4 September 2011 entitled, "One Year On".
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 10 May 2011 entitled, "Wobbling again".
An entry from Jennifer Middendorf's blog for 19 March 2012 entitled, "Time to catch up".
A story submitted by LC to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Gary Manch to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Greg Cole to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Scott Thomas to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Ali to the QuakeStories website.
A story submitted by Michelle Paterson to the QuakeStories website.
A pdf transcript of Belle's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office in Wellington Airport. The volunteers travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake to help with the emergency response.
A photograph of a member of the Wellington Emergency Management Office Emergency Response Team using a crowbar to open the door of a building in the Christchurch central city.
A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office in Wellington Airport. The volunteers travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake to help with the emergency response.
A PDF copy of a news item from the union.org.nz website, titled, "Huge Risks in Scaled Back Canterbury Package". The article was written by Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, and Marty Braithwaite, CTU Earthquake Response Coordinator.
Today Aotearoa continues to take tentative steps back into level 2 of the Covid-19 response, so you might think it strange that I would be voluntarily stepping back into quarantine. But we’re the stepping back into the history – all … Continue reading →
Summary of oral history interview with Michelle about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Gillian Laing about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Liz Nichol about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Christine about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Transcript of Julie Gray's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Siobhan Storey's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.
Transcript of Colleen's earthquake story, captured by the UC QuakeBox project.