More than 150 Pacific families living in the Ashburton area have received support packages from Pasifika Futures partner – Fale Pasifika O Aoraki to help them recover from the one-in-a-hundred-year flood that damaged homes and roads in the North Canterbury area.
Last week, Civil Defence ordered some residents to evacuate and a state of emergency was declared for the entire Canterbury region after heavy rain and flooding devastated the area.
From the start of the flood, Fale Pasifika o Aoraki, with the support from Pasifika Futures, reached out to Pacific families in the area to offer their immediate support and assistance.
Fale Pasifika General Manager, Ofa Boyle, says families were very appreciative and grateful for the quick response and support which included supermarket vouchers, firewood and social services support.
“Our people are vulnerable because they haven’t been able to work which means there’s a loss of income. It has really got them down. We provided our families with essential goods which has given them some relief.”
Ofa and three volunteers who speak three different Pacific languages, have been on the ground in Ashburton, to ensure that Pacific families are receiving much-needed support packages and are given advice on where to seek additional help.
“The families have really appreciated the help from their own Pacific organisations.”
Craig Sionetuato, who is the Director of Partnerships at Pasifika Futures, says just like his organisation’s Covid-19 response, Pasifika Futures will always help communities during a time of crisis.
“Our hearts go out to the families who are affected by the floods. It’s important for our communities to know that during these times of need, we will always respond and make sure that our families are safe.”
If you are a Pacific family in the Canterbury region who are affected by the floods, please contact one of our partners below, who can provide a package of support.
Etu Pasifika – Antonio Filimoehala, 0800 388 727 or
Fale Pasifika o Aoraki – Vicky Cunningham, 027 321 6149.
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Date: Tuesday 08 June 2021