Support needs to continue

The weird thing about natural disasters is how unnatural life can become.

Many of us over the last few days will have experienced huge mood swings, anxiety and a sense of dislocation, both emotionally and in many cases physically. This sense of distress while feeling unnatural is a perfectly normal reaction to an unexpected event which is out of anyone's control.

Equally, many of us have experienced all sorts of small and large kindnesses from family, friends, neighbours and strangers. Stories abound of households taking in other generations, and of neighbours helping out older people in practical ways. For those of us in the social services it is humbling and exciting to see this compassion, generosity and depth of natural community relationships.

At a wider level the Civil Defence team and associated government agencies, local bodies, aid organisations, staff and volunteers have put in huge efforts to ensure the response to the disaster is well co-ordinated and effective.

The region is partly up and running again but most of us are probably zigzagging in unfamiliar territory and still mixing adrenalin and exhaustion in uneven doses. Neighbourhood city, town and country skylines too are changing shape as buildings and houses are demolished and roads assume different lines. It will take a bit for us to know our changed environment comfortably.

In all of this, most of us will steadily make sense of events over a variable period of time, and re-establish the ordinary rituals of everyday life that give a sense of cohesion, purpose and balance.

It will be important over the months ahead to be alert to those who are still struggling or who need support and help. It will be equally important that injections of cash and resources allow for the long- term recovery of people emotionally, socially and as contributing community members.

Government standing with Canterbury in crisis is essential, but committing for the long haul is vital, and just as important.

The extraordinary thing in all of this is of course the resilience, courage and determination of ordinary people to cope with the unimaginable and do what they can. From this perspective Canterbury is aptly named but it is people helping people and wise and ongoing use of resources that will make the difference.

* Vaughan Milner is the chief executive officer of Presbyterian Support, Upper South Island.

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