Cyclone Gabrielle has been labelled as the worst storm to hit Aotearoa this century, by the Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.
We have had many calls, emails, and messages from people in the Waikato who are keen to help out with the impacts of the cyclone. We firstly want to thank all of you for being willing to give your time to help our communities recover.
We have been in touch with our friends at Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group to find out how you can help. Fortunately, much of the Waikato is not in need of immediate assistance and Waikato CDEM is not currently asking for extra volunteers. This is due to safety concerns for volunteers while we are still in the 'immediate danger' time frame, directly after the cyclone. Once the clean up efforts move to the 'recovery phase', more volunteers may be called upon to help.
If you would like to get involved in this recovery phase, please email your contact details to: recruitment@volunteeringwaikato.org.nz
We will then pass your details on to Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, who may get in touch once additional help is required.
The wonderful people over at Stuff have put together an article "Cyclone Gabrielle: Where to get help and how to give help" which covers information on how to help beyond our region too. (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/131220478/cyclone-gabrielle-where-to-get-help-and-how-to-give-help)
Thank you to all of you who are looking for ways to help. We hope you and your whaanau are safe and okay.
From,
The VW Team
