When People Are Banding Together
‘In disasters, the great majority of people behave well. In some ways, they behave better than in ordinary life and in some disasters people find [out about] the meaningful role of deep social connections and see their absence in everyday life.’
These are the words of the American Neuroscience Journalist Maia Szalavitz mentioned in an article about the effects of disasters and natural catastrophes on human beings. While reading this quote a few days ago, I couldn’t help but thinking of the latest incidents happening in New Zealand. As we all know, the South Island was struck by an earth quake of 7.8 magnitude on 14th November this year that caused severe damage and casualties in the area between Culverden and Kaikoura. The news programme ‘Newshub’ showed various pictures of landslides, damaged bridges and railway tracks as well as a torn open State Highway 1 which is the longest and most significant road in the country as it runs the length of both main islands. Apart from that, most of the houses have been heavily damaged or even become uninhabitable which doesn’t only mean the loss of a home, but also the loss of personal belongings, existence and memories. As I was thinking about what it must feel like to be in such a disaster myself and to lose everything I own within a period of 2 minutes — ’cause this is how long this quake lasted — I got terrified. The first thing that came to my mind was: How’s my family? Is everyone alright? Anyone got hurt? No. Thank God. Everyone’s pretty shocked about what just happened but we all made it out alive! It would probably take me some time to be able to have clear thoughts again and once the storm has calmed down I would slowly begin to realize the dreadful impacts of the happenings. Seeing the damaged walls of my house, the shattered glass of the windows, pieces of furniture, dishes and books lying scattered all over the floor a great sense of anger came over me. How the heck can a quake destroy all of that and leave nothing but ruins and a huge devastation?? Of course I’d be cranky and annoyed at the whole situation, no doubt at all!
Bearing this in mind I was surprised when I read about the reactions of many New Zealanders to the quake impacts. “When I heard the rumbling last night, I got up as fast as I could, grabbed the kids and ran out of the house. A few seconds later and we would have been hit by the bricks coming off the walls. We are so lucky, so lucky.” These were (more or less) the words of a local woman who got interviewed by ‘Newshub’ a few hours after the earthquake. Wow, she’s probably just lost a fortune and all she has to say is “We’re so lucky”? There’s another one that caught my attention: Sez Nathan, an indigenous woman from the tiny north Canterbury settlement of Waiau shares her thoughts about the latest happenings on the 6pm Newshub Show on Wednesday, 16th November. “The reality kicks in now. What could have happened. We’re blessed, aren’t we? We’re blessed.”
I should probably mention that her house has no front door and no walls and also has been given a red sticker. That means it is no longer safe to live in and needs to be demolished in the coming days because of the risk to the public. She and her three daughters made it out with nothing and had to leave everything behind when the quake started. “We are all pretty resilient people here — the Waiaiu community. So as they say you just pick yourself up and start all over again.” Seriously? This sounds as if it was an everyday habit: Ah, we’re already used to this. It’s tough and means there will be a lot of hard work to do but we can handle it. It’ll be right. As long as we’re together and no one got hurt. Honestly, I’m a pretty positive-thinking and optimistic person but I would surely not have the nerves to talk like that if I were in this situation. “No worries. We can rebuild.” seemed to be a popular phrase to say in general. Even prime minister John Key told 1news “The financial cost will be significant but we will bear that. We can rebuild our broken infrastructure, we have been here before and we have overcome those challenges, we will do the same this time.” Man, that’s what I call a positive attitude during hard times. I have no doubts that those people feel miserable and sad about what has happened to their property, but what I ABSOLUTELY LOVE is that they made the decision to be optimistic and to look ahead instead of focusing on the downsides and problems that occur. (One of the many things we Germans tend to do very often and also one of my weak points that I’m trying to change by looking at other cultures and countries who approach things differently) What strikes me most, however, is the incredible community spirit of the local people. Susan Mackay, a resident of the suburb of Whitby, talked about a woman living in her street who knocked on her door in order to get to know her neighbourhood better, so that in case of a future earthquake she knows who to contact and how they could help each other. This lady actually had lists with helpful facts that she handed out to all the neighbours, man she really was serious about this! Mrs Mackay also mentioned that people have been offering shelter, food, coffee and cake for those who weren’t able to cope. I find it especially interesting, how Susan Mackay emphasises that she never had a close relationship to her neighbours, but because of the recent events is growing a much stronger relationship to them. I am so excited about this! How good is it to see how generosity and hospitality can bring a community together. I also read about a Christchurch woman baking dozens of pies for those hit hard by the quake up in Kaikoura. She herself had been a victim of the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011 and wanted to return a favour to those who supported and helped her back then! You may have heard about that farming family in Sherwood (Canterbury region) that lost an entire pine plantation just because it literally got sucked up by the quake. I mean imagine that! Now they are facing heaps of challenges such as fixing the fences and water supply systems — not the brightest future for sure, but how amazing is it that many farmers came together rightaway to support this family with tools and supplies while waiting for the fundraised money to be released. There is so much more to find about the various ways Kiwis are helping each other in this situation, the list goes on and on!
Fact is; the 2016 earthquake in Kaikoura really lets the New Zealand spirit shine through! It also reinforces the quote about human behaviour in disasters. How odd is it though, that it needs a catastrophe like this one, so that people stop thinking about their own comfort but start seeing the bigger picture of what a community, a town, a country holds together and what would make everyones life a lot more enjoyable. We surely are a clever people, but we haven’t quite figured that one out yet…
