The Dunedin community has established a Christchurch “Embassy” at the Railway Station to welcome anyone needing a place to go outside of earthquake-stricken Christchurch.
The “Christchurch Embassy” Facebook group describes itself as “the first port of call” where people from Christchurch can go “for somewhere to relax, have a cup of tea, talk to social agencies, sort out accommodation, and most importantly be welcomed to Dunedin for as long as they need and be given ongoing support”.
The Embassy is a centre where people can drop in anytime to talk to support people from community organizations for information about what assistance is available in the weeks following the earthquake. Social workers are on hand to advise people of their options for vital services like accommodation for the duration of their stay in Dunedin. The Embassy is also working in conjunction with the Dunedin Civil Defence Welfare Centre to provide WINZ and Housing New Zealand services for those who require them.
Volunteers from the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) are assisting community groups at the Embassy and, as the official coordinator of volunteers, OUSA is “really stoked to have had so many people put their names forward”.
In a press release the Dunedin Embassy Committee added that “OUSA has also offered the use of their Clubs and Societies location for Christchurch residents needing showers, and has spaces for NON-PERISHABLE food donations to be sent to Christchurch”.
The Embassy was open 24 hours a day for the first two days of operation, and on Thursday March 3 reduced its operating hours to 7am-10pm. The need for the centre is going to be continually assessed, and anyone interested in volunteering can register at http://ousahelp.wufoo.com/forms/earthquake-relief-dunedin-volunteers/#public or by emailing OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan at president@ousa.org.nz.
Free baking, tea, coffee and juice are constantly on hand down there, and Critic would really recommend getting involved for this factor alone (warm fuzzies added bonus).
Christchurch Embassy at the Dunedin Railway Station
