Christchurch, New Zealand has gone through 2 devastating earthquakes in the past year or so. On June 13th of this year, they apparently had another 6.3 earthquake that has caused some damage. Not to mention that this is winter in New Zealand so those without electricity or heat are quite cold this time of year. They are also having a problem filling jobs.
From stuff.com: The September and February earthquakes have affected nearly two-thirds of New Zealand businesses, a 2011 Grant Thornton international survey shows.
The survey indicated 18 per cent of businesses had suffered long-term impacts, 26 per cent medium-term impacts and 20 per cent a short-term hit.
Tim Keenan, a partner in the Christchurch office of Grant Thornton, said the main problems facing businesses in Christchurch after the spate of quakes was the shrinking pool of talent for staff and senior management.
''With it being unlikely that people, outside of the construction sector, will move to Christchurch in the medium term, the demand impact for talent and skills is likely to have an inflationary effect on wages and salaries. A critical focus of employers in the region is the retention strategies they are executing in their businesses as this demand for talent rises."
Christchurch was the hardest hit, but businesses across New Zealand had felt the impact.
A fall in demand was the most significant impact felt by 48 per cent of those who said they were affected
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5202542/Quakes-affect-two-thirds-of-NZ-businesses
The police in Christchurch are still working hard, but more of a helpful role and making sure people are safe: NIGHT SHIFT
(1400 to 2300 hours)
The mood is instantly a little different. It's dark, cold and miserable.
The car heads to Avonside Drive. The usually pleasant riverside road is nearly deserted and oddly silent. Their job tonight isn't so much about shovelling silt and chatting to people; it's about making sure people aren't alone, cold or without water.
The first door they knock on reveals a man who is all three of those things.
John Steeman, 81, says: "I'm scared and nervous. It's very lonely. My daughter comes over at night, but she's not back yet.
"For 60 years I've been looking after this house and now in 20 seconds it's all gone. I'm too old to start again."
Sturkenboom hands over four bottles of water. Steeman thanks the policemen with tears rolling down his cheeks.
"That was pretty hard to see, but I think it's probably good for him to talk about how he's feeling," Sturkenboom says.
The pair continue to traipse around in the dark armed with torches and bottles of water.
They are told about a paraplegic who lives alone and head to his house, where they find the back doors are open.
Sturkenboom worries the man has fallen and can't get up. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5204788/A-day-in-the-life-of-a-Christchurch-cop
Finally, buildings are being torn down, left and right: More than 80 earthquake-damaged Christchurch buildings are expected to be pulled down over the next two weeks.
Since February's quake, more than 500 buildings have been tagged for demolition.
The June 13 quakes damaged almost 150 buildings in the cordoned central city red zone.
In the latest list provided to The Press, 83 buildings have been approved for full demolition, including 20 listed heritage buildings.
» View CERA's urgent demolition list
Nine buildings have been tagged for partial demolition, with five to be made safe.
"We would expect all buildings on the urgent list to be demolished, have partial demolition or make-safe work within the next two weeks," Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) demolition manager Warwick Isaacs said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5204789/Urgent-demolition-of-83-buildings-ordered
We have terrible damage throughout the U.S. this year, with floods and tornadoes. But elsewhere in the world, there are also major problems. Please keep Christchurch in your prayers.
At the Prairie Café...
5 hours ago
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