基督城地震 民族事务办公室提供语言支持
纽西兰民族事务办公室週三表示，他们将为因基督城地震受影响的各族群民众提供语言支持，帮助他们及时瞭解地震的最新信息，并及时和有关部门进行沟通。
民族事务办公室主任Mervin Singham表示：“在这样的一个所有纽西兰人需要共同面对灾难的时刻，语言和文化差别不应该，也不能成为任何人获取帮助的障碍。那些只能说很少或者乾脆不能说英语的民众也应该得到政府部门的及时帮助。”Singham表示，民族事务办公室将确保向需要帮助的民众提供语言支持。
据悉，一些为基督城地震特别设立的电话专线已经向民众推出，民众可以通过这些电话瞭解地震的最新信息，同时和各政府部门沟通，帮助安排震后的重建工作。使用这些电话专线的民众，只要在电话接通后说出自己可以沟通的语言，比如Mandarin或Cantonese，即可得到民族事务办公室的第三方翻译和语言支持：
地震专线：0800 77 9997
红十字会：0800 733 276
ACC：0800 101 996
基督城市政府：03 941 8999
工收局：0800 559 009
青少年及家庭热线：0508 326 459
房屋署：0800 801 601
地震委员会：0800 326 243
税务局：0800 227 774
健康专线：0800 611 116
商业求助热线： 0800 424 946
农场联盟求助热线：0800 327 646
Help and advice for ethnic communities affected by the earthquake
The Office of Ethnic Affairs is committed to ensuring that ethnic people in Christchurch receive the same level of support as the broader population.
The Director of the Office, Mervin Singham, says “language and culture should not be a barrier for people with little or no English who need help and advice in the aftermath of the earthquake.”
He says the Office “is actively ensuring that support is available to ethnic communities.”
A number of official telephone help-lines have been set up for people seeking information.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs’ telephone interpreting service, Language Line is available for anyone who requires it when they ring these telephone numbers.
People concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).
Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence. People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.
People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199
You can also email the Red Cross on nzrcneoc@redcross.org.nz
For people seeking information about Government services and support call 0800 77 9997
The numbers below also offer Language Line and can assist you in your language
· ACC Claims...................................................................................... 0800 101 996
· Christchurch City Council................................................................... 03 941 8999
· Work and Income............................................................................. 0800 559 009
· Child, Youth & Family....................................................................... 0508 326 459
· Housing New Zealand Corporation.................................................. 0800 801 601
· Earthquake Commission.................................................................. 0800 326 243
· Inland Revenue................................................................................. 0800 227 774
· Heathline........................................................................................... 0800 611 116
· Business helpline 0800 424 946
· Federated Farmers helpline 0800 FARMING 0800 327 646
Online help
Official information and advice is also available online from the Ministry of Civil Defence, the Earthquake Commission and the Christchurch City Council’s Canterbury earthquake website.
On the Ministry of Civil Defence’s website called “Get Ready Get Thru” there is help and advice about earthquakes in these languages:
English| 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)| 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese)| हिन्दी (Hindi)| 한국어 (Korean)| Te Reo Māori| Gagana Sāmoa| Lea Faka-Tonga| عربي (Arabic)
The Earthquake Commission also has some translated material which covers general advice about earthquakes. Languages available are
Māori - Te Reo Māori Tongan - Lea-Tonga Samoan - Gagana Samoa Chinese -
Korean - Arabic - Hindi -
Donations
People in Christchurch are encouraged to check on neighbours, friends and family in their local area.
People wanting to contribute to the response are encouraged to contribute financially but please hold back until an official fund is available. Information will be provided on this in due course.
Blood Donations
NZ Blood has announced that the Christchurch Blood Donor Centre will be closed until further notice. They have good supplies of blood in Christchurch and have supplies they can bring in from other centres. At this stage blood stock are fine, but if the situation changes they will inform people via their website (www.nzblood.co.nz) or via Facebook.
More information and details including transport in and around Christchurch, medical facilities power and water can be found at the Ministry of Civil Defence website or by ringing the Government’s special support line: call 0800 77 9997
The Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Language Line can be requested when ringing any of the above telephone help-lines.
For further help with language issues call Language Line at OEA on 0800 656 656.
For any further information contact:
Sue Ingram
Office of Ethnic Affairs, Te Tari Matawaka
The Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua
46 Waring Taylor Street
Wellington
Direct Dial: 64 4 494 0584 Mobile: 027 541 4696
sue.ingram@dia.govt.nz
