Be Prepared

By Samantha Whittle

Journalist and Christchurch earthquake survivor Jane Bowron’s advice for those living in an earthquake-prone area like Wellington is: plan ahead.

“You cannot understand the enormity of a natural disaster so it is important to be as prepared as you can,” Bowron said.

She recently shared her experiences living through the Christchurch earthquakes, as part of a seminar series at Victoria University.

It was very important to have a well-stocked survival kit because help may not come quickly, she said.

CAPTION
Christchurch earthquake survivor Jane Bowron, right, with Stout Research Centre director Lydia Wevers, says we must prepare for the big one. PHOTO: Robert Cross

“You are talking about a long time on your own.”

This should include all the necessities, like a transistor radio, canned food, drink and spare clothes.

Supplies should include food for your pets.

You also need an emotional survival kit, Bowron said.

This should include accepting the situation, realising that after-shocks are out of your control, and understanding the importance of working together in your local community.

The guest speakers of the seminar series include a filmmaker, art-gallery director, journalist and members of the Earthquake Commission.

Centre director Lydia Wevers said the seminars were designed to provide a broader view of what happened in Christchurch.

After the disaster, the media focused so much on what happened and who was responsible that it missed what was going on in ordinary people’s lives, she said.

“We wanted to look at the creative and imaginative response people had to the earthquake,” Wevers said.

Their stories showed “how generous people can be in a disaster, how they look after each other and form small tight close-knit communities”.

The next speaker will be Dr Bruce McFadgen, an earthquake researcher.

His seminar on May 13 will look at the effect of tectonic activity on human development.

An earthquake of the same magnitude that recently devastated Nepal could happen in New Zealand, he said.

“It has been remarkably quiet over the last little while, but it is not going to always be like that.

“These things happen without warning and we have to cope with them best we can.”

“Shaky ground” seminar series
The final two seminars will be held at 5pm-6:30pm on May 13 and 20.

Hunter Lecture Theatre Room 119, Victoria University, Kelburn Parade, 5-6.30pm.

For more info (including a copy of Bowron’s survival-kit list): http://www.victoria.ac.nz/stout-centre

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