Donations sought for Christchurch's flood-hit sister city

Christchurch residents are being encouraged to donate funds to the Japanese city of Kurashiki, which has been devastated by widespread flooding.

Twenty-eight people have been killed in Kurashiki and 4600 homes totally flooded as a result of torrential rain. \

“Christchurch has had a sister city relationship with Kurashiki since 1973 and the residents of that city were very generous with the support they offered us after the earthquakes,’’ Mayor Lianne Dalziel says.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Kurashiki Mayor Kaori Ito in the Sister Cities garden at Halswell Quarry Park in 2013.

“They collected a significant amount of money for us in the streets as well as sending us relief supplies and a search and rescue team.''

Cr Phil Clearwater, who is the Council's representative on the Christchurch-Kurashiki Sister City Committee, says the tragedy is even more poignant given this is the 45th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the two cities.

“ I’m hoping Christchurch people will dig deep and show our sister city that we support them in their time of need, in the way they supported us,'' Cr Clearwater says.

A collection box has been placed in the foyer of the Civic Offices for people wanting to make donations. Collection boxes are also being placed in libraries across Christchurch. 

Donations can also be made through Givealittle.

“In Christchurch we know all too well the trauma and anguish that result from large-scale natural disasters so we want to help Kurashiki however we can. I have already written to Mayor Ito expressing our condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and pledging Christchurch’s support,'' Mayor Dalziel says.

“I told her that we have not forgotten the kind and generous assistance we received from Kurashiki following the 2011 earthquake and that we stand with them in their time of grief.''