U.S. Offers Assistance To Christchurch, New Zealand

Today, the U.S. offered assistance to Christchurch, the place where they had a devestating yesterday, killing scores of people.
From the State Department and Hillary Clinton: I am deeply saddened by the news that a second major earthquake in 6 months has struck Christchurch. On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send our sincere condolences and sympathy to the people of New Zealand.
When the earthquake struck, American and Kiwi officials were in the middle of a meeting in Christchurch, discussing plans to further develop and expand the broad partnership between our nations...
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/02/156913.htm
From President Obama: ...The United States is a close friend and partner of New Zealand, as evidenced by the meeting of the U.S.-New Zealand Partnership Forum that was underway in Christchurch when the earthquake struck. To assist in the rescue and recovery efforts, we have agreed to deploy a U.S. Agency for International Development Disaster Assistance Response Team, including an Urban Search and Rescue Team, and we stand ready to provide more assistance as needed.
Kudos for the President for offering one the world's best urban rescue teams and I hope they are on their way.
Luckily (or unluckily, I guess) there was a large conference in Christchurch when the earthquake hit and Richard Armitage, formerly of the State Department was there. Armitage has been reported missing and I have not heard if he has been found. I am assuming he was because no news is good news.
For the latest updates from a Christchurch newspaper:LATEST: Rescue teams are being withdrawn from the collapsed CTV building after reports 15 people were trapped alive were proved wrong.
Mayor Bob Parker and Prime Minister John Key said this morning at least 75 people were dead following yesterday's quake. They said 55 bodies had been identified and there were a further 20 unidentified bodies.
Email your quake photos and stories at newstips@stuff.co.nz
Parker said another 300 people were listed as missing, though not all of them would be trapped in buildings that were being searched for survivors.
It was confirmed that one person had died in the The Press newspaper's central city office.
Previous reports that 15 people were trapped alive in a pocket in the CTV building were false, Fire Commander Mike Hall said.
Rescuers have announced efforts will now be concentrated on the collapsed Pyne Gould building where there had been some success this morning. Heavy machinery was being brought in but it was going to be slow progress, Hall said.
When asked if it was still a rescue operation or a recovery operation, Mr Hall said: ''As far as we are concerned it's still a rescue, it's only 24 hours since the earthquake and we know that's far too soon to give up hope.''
Some family members who were waiting outside the site were upset and crying after being spoken to by police.
In an emotional address this morning Key announced a national emergency, telling the nation it would get through the disaster.
"This country is right behind you and we are backing you with all of our might."
CARNAGE HITS HOME
Christchurch people woke this morning to a scene of absolute carnage, with bodies lying throughout the central business district.
The living, trapped in many buildings, are fighting for their lives after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck at a shallow depth 10km southeast of the city at 1pm yesterday.
Rescuers were still hearing signs of life from the Pyne Gould Corporation building on Cambridge Tce. Three people had this morning been rescued from the CTV building and eight from the PGC building.
Shane Cole, a fireman and a member of the urban search and rescue team, said rescuers had heard banging in buildings and one person had managed to send a text message this morning while trapped on the first floor of the CTV building.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/4692170/Quake-toll-75-hundreds-missing
One newspaper has been knocked off line and so this is most comprehensive news there is coming out of New Zealand.
Prayers to Christchurch and the outlying cities that have been hit. Two major earthquakes in the same city a little over 6 months is just horrible. I have my doubts that a city like Los Angeles could handle 2 devesating earthquakes like Christchurch has. Not to mention wimp cities like Madison, WI.
So, keep them in your prayers and if they call for donations, please considering contributing, especially through the Salvation Army.