12 July 2007

Northland's Labour MP's welcome fast response

The quick response from the Labour-led Government for the Northland community coping with floods and gale winds has been welcomed by Labour MPs Shane Jones and Dover Samuels.

Labour MP Dover Samuels has been travelling Northland roads and stopping in on people where he could and is concerned about the elderly and young families isolated by flood waters in particular.

Reporting in from the road he said, “all concern is around those without power or road access to their properties.

“Meeting the welfare needs of the Northland people is most important for this Labour-led Government and those who don’t have accommodation will be taken care of.

“Rick Barker, Helen Clark and Northland Mayor Yvonne Sharp were giving supplies to some isolated families from a helicopter throughout the day yesterday, but we will do everything we can to help out in the immediate days,” he says.

“Flooding is more widespread than previous floods in March. In the coming weeks, the Labour-led Government will await assessments of damage and will then go through well-worn processes to identify how it can help local authorities recover after we have gotten through the response and recovery phases.

Mr. Samuels takes his hat off to the Northland community, who've pulled together during this challenging time with Marae full with people, neighbours opening their doors to each other and with people taking the right action at the right time to keep them, and their families safe from danger.

Both Mr. Jones and Mr. Samuels reiterated the message that it is important to have supplies, food, water, batteries, a radio, spare clothes, and ensuring insurance is up to date. Every whanau needs to have a plan in case there is such an event as this, "getting ready to get through is important, no one has been hurt so far, that's because of good planning and efficient emergency services, but we all have to take responsibility for looking after ourselves and our whanau for at least three days.

"Well done to Northland's emergency and lifeline utility services, and well done to Northlanders and in the coming days, let's keep our community working together," said Mr. Jones.

A Government helpline Line (0800 779 997) has been activated for those needing welfare or accommodation assistance.

ENDS

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