Christchurch Earthquake: Depth of Courage
We have all witnessed and applauded the compassion, camaraderie and caring surrounding the Christchurch earthquake. The level of professionalism and dedication throughout the disaster has been truly incredible. But I believe the people of Canterbury are about to face their greatest test and I also believe that they will show us “courage and fortitude” beyond our comprehension or expectations.
On February 22nd 2011 the residents of Christchurch literally ran for their lives.
Unfortunately some people could not escape the incredible destruction and their name will become an everlasting memory, etched into marble and into the minds and hearts of those left behind.
Even before the dust settled the media was broadcasting unbelievable images of bravery, tragedy and near misses. Individuals armed with pocket sized technology managed to capture frightening scenes via their cell phones and hundreds of digital images began to appear on Facebook, Google, websites, blogs and email attachments.
The world became immediately connected to the disaster, the armed forces stepped in to help, extra police were brought into the city, international search and rescue teams arrived to assist with the recovery process, temporary food and accommodation shelters materialised, the television news allocated non stop programming to the earthquake to ensure people were kept up to date … and for a few days/weeks, the city of Christchurch “stopped”.
It is almost three weeks since the event and people are now forced to “pick up the pieces” and begin the process of re building their business, their career, their home, their faith and their finances. Limited water, outside shared toilets, temporary housing, damaged roads, restricted public transport and continuous aftershocks can result in an understandable tendency for uncertainty and the likelihood of shattered nerves.
The media has “moved on” and soon the international experts will depart, leaving a crushed city centre, surrounded by broken homes, many unidentified bodies, torn water mains, interim electricity connections and “out of business” businesses. This is the time where “the rubber meets the road”, where each person will begin to re evaluate their life, and the lives of those closest to them (emotional closest=family and friends, physical closest=neighbours in need of some company and re assurance).
Bob Parker has shown his true colours throughout the civil emergency, his media broadcasts are powerful and uplifting, yet always empathetic. He has lead “his people” through the crisis and he will continue to motivate, inspire and push on every available resource to ensure that Christchurch re emerges, stronger and better prepared than ever.
If we were amazed at the courage and fortitude of the Cantabrians during the actual disaster, I believe we are about to be truly astonished over the coming weeks/months/years. The residents of Christchurch are a proud and resilient bunch of people, and they love their city. I am reminded of the classic hit song “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” and mark my words, we have not!
Special thanks to Nic Jones for the excellent photos.
