New SubsiteBlogEntry

Posted by Travel Memo on 11 March 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: First Assistance, Christchurch earthquake

Local New Zealand emergency response company First Assistance is handling between 20 and 40 cases every day of people affected by the Christchurch earthquake with roadside, property and travel assistance. The company expects these numbers to increase significantly in the coming weeks as Canterbury residents start the process of assessing the damage.

“We are also working closely with travel insurance providers both locally and overseas to ensure their customers are looked after during this devastating time,” says Mary-Jo McDonald, general manager for First Assistance. “Our team is helping Kiwis overseas get home to their loved ones in Christchurch and working with international travel insurance providers to help tourists and foreign nationals working in New Zealand to return home,” adds McDonald.

The company has been hearing some incredible stories of people rolling up their sleeves to help in Christchurch. Two international nurses in New Zealand to work with First
Assistance to repatriate an ill Czech national home to Prague were at Christchurch Airport en-route to Invercargill when the quake struck. They quickly put their training into practice by
providing on-the-ground support for over 10 hours.

First Assistance can be contacted on 09 356 1650 or alternatively with phone communication variable in and around Canterbury the First Assistance team can be reached on Skype (first.assistance or faakl6140) or email at help@faops.com.