East Christchurch 'neglected' in earthquake recovery
"Time bomb" of neglected Asian health problems in Christchurch
Christchurch hit by another huge earthquake
Looting: Crime and Punishment in post quake Christchurch
Eyewitness report: Truck protest in Christchurch
Death toll in Christchurch quake reaches 113
The devastating earthquake that hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch last month has disproportionately affected the east of the city, which also happens to be home to the city's poorest residents. A newsletter written by Peter Hyde has been circulated around the blogosphere, Hyde writes of the division of Christchurch into three cities, 'rescue city' the cordoned off central business district that was the major focus of the media in the days following the disaster, 'shower city' the approximately 65% of the city that (as of March 2) had water and electricity restored, and 'refugee city' in the poorer neighbourhoods of east Christchurch;
Their houses may or may not be intact. Their streets may be clear, broken, or full of silt. Or sewage. There are no showers. Or ways to wash clothes. Or to wash dishes. Or to heat the "must boil" water that is available -- assuming they can make it to the nearest water truck, day after day. No refrigeration. No working toilets, and precious few portaloos. No face masks to defend against the blown silt.
Vicki Anderson, a journalist for the city's major daily news paper The Press who lives in the eastern suburb of New Brighton used a recent article to draw attention to Hyde's Three Cities newsletter, writing of the people in the east who were reliant on public transport and are now stranded by munted roads, people unable to access web based support services due to lack of electricity and internet access. She criticised Prime Minister John Key for his plan to use cruise ships to house tourists in Christchurch for the Rugby World Cup later this year; “men, women, babies and the elderly in Christchurch's eastern suburbs are living in utter squalor. I bet they'd be happy to stay on a cruise ship until the dust settles.”
Indigenous news website TangataWhenua.com pointed out that the quake has disproportionately affected Maori and Pacific Islanders, who live in greater density in the eastern suburbs. Recently earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee admitted after visiting the area that east Christchurch has been neglected.
