New Zealand is in a National State of emergency and it feels like the world doesn't care

[HelpNZ]

I live in the UK but originate from NZ. They have just been hit by an incredibly destructive cyclone. Thousands are homeless. 5 people have died but there will be more. I appreciate this is not on the scale of the Earthquake in Turkey/Syria. I guess I'm wondering where the international support for NZ is? I've heard nothing and it's not even hitting the news in the UK (or just minor mention buried somewhere)?

I’m from Hawke’s Bay, now live in Australia.
it’s hardly made the news here too.

Yes, and I think people are confusing sympathy with the aid process. New Zealand is a wealthy country, compared to Turkiye and Syria, where war and refugee situation already had them in a drastic and piteous state.

Any disaster is awful for those hit by it. The international relief effort has to be targeted where it is actually needed though and the situation in Turkiye and Syria is a hundred times worse.

(I pause before saying it, but I do hope this thread won't descend into a whatabout white people thing. That would be sickening.)

Nothing yet really about what. As an Aussie I'll be incredibly disgusted if we don't respond quickly to NZ asking for help, kind of expected we'd already be sending rescue teams over, they've been taking, so hopefully soon. I do think disasters in developed nations are a bit different from developing countries, we tend to manage our own bushfires and floods and cyclones and so on, had a lot of the first two in the last 5 years, but NZ doesn't have as much manpower in these situations and they can be really time critical.

I can't speak for my fellow country people ... I think money would be pointless as we too support other countries in need (and I'd assume UK isn't one of them). It just seems like money passing around, but I don't actually know. I'm very lucky and unaffected, but many have lost their houses etc so perhaps some actual "hands" might help with the clean up, the army and the communities themselves are assisting in the badly affected areas. I'd also assume in this case then our government would be talking to yours? Nice that you're concerned though OP, and that you care ☺️

They've asked Australia for help, which is what I'd expect them to do if they needed it. When we had the massive bushfires here in Australia a couple years back I wouldn't have ever expected our government to ask for aid, especially as in international aide agencies, that's really not their purpose. It would have to be pretty world ending, magnitudes worse then what's going on in Turkey and Syria right now for that to feel appropriate.

I've seen reports and photos in the newspapers. It's so sad. Sunak spoke to Hipkins within hours of the incident and offered UK assistance in any way NZ requested.
NZers lost property and people died. Same as people die in flooding every year in the UK. These natural disasters are horrendous things to happen and they're increasing throughout the world. Obviously no one thinks the scale of the NZ disaster, with its wealth and good infrastructure, is even in the same ball park as what's happened in Turkey. So I'm not sure what people are actually wanting the UK to do, more than send aid promptly as it's requested.

I wouldn’t expect any uk govt support for the nz earthquakes. Same as if the same happened in Australia where I am. I assume australia will be supporting them. When it’s a serious event but not a wide scale devastating catastrophe like Syria and turkey countries respect sovereignty - New Zealand only formally requested Australian aid this morning.

I agree OP there has been very little news about this. As an ex-pat I find when disasters like this happen and we are so far from home I feel so homesick and helpless that I can’t be there doing something to help.
Since moving to the UK I’ve also become a republican as there is no connection between our countries anymore why on earth should they be our head of state.
I often watch the royals at sporting events and wonder why they aren’t also cheering on our countries since they are king/queen of it.

@Codlingmoths the damage is from the cyclone not from the EQs.

It is a mess and will take months and months to sort but fortunately we have not had the scale of deaths as seen in Turkey and Syria.

In first world countries the majority of aid required is not usually financial but specialists and equipment. When we have bushfires in Australia we have Californian firefighters flying over with equipment (including planes) to help, and vice versa. Usually the fire seasons are at different times of the year but occasionally they can overlap which can be tricky.

I suspect that would be the majority of the aid we (Australia) will send to NZ - specialists, manpower and equipment.

But I get what you mean OP, I remember when living in the UK and knowing there were devastating fires and floods in Australia and I could only read about them on UK sites if I went hunting for the news stories. With all our tied history you think there would be more emotional support.

Oh please. I'm in NZ at the moment. It's not on a humanitarian scale like Turkey. Ffs get a grip. Yes for those affected it is terrible but the country is not decimated. 4 people have died. Fir then and their loved ones it a total tragedy but it is not an issue other nations need to get involved in. Get some perspective

I find it fascinating how many threads there were about the NZ COVID response and how few there are about these disasters, which have left thousands without power, displaced or dead.

So sorry OP. As someone else said, it's timing. UK's money pot is extremely low so the government no doubt has to prioritise. As someone else said, what has happened in Turkey and Syria has been much more severe. New Zealand is a richer country with Australia nearby. The gov probably don't wary about pushing two large donation drives because of the cost of living crisis over here as well.

I find it fascinating how many threads there were about the NZ COVID response and how few there are about these disasters, which have left thousands without power, displaced or dead.

To be fair, how much does NZ discuss the UK floods ever year that leave people without power, displaced or dead? I can't even imagine why it would be more than a passing mention in a newspaper column over there.
And, actually, the strength of the response from NZers over how well they coped with covid and how string their economy was as a result, makes me feel that they're less likely to need or want assistance.

I remember when living in the UK and knowing there were devastating fires and floods in Australia and I could only read about them on UK sites if I went hunting for the news stories.

The Australian fires were headline news every night. As were the California fires and mudslides. I remember the awful loss of wildlife and eeling so sad for people losing their properties.

In my (uk) city it is the Turkish and Syrian communities who are leading the fundraising efforts and accepting donations of warm clothes and supplies. Perhaps you could do similar for NZ?

I was wondering when this would come up in the comments.

I heard it briefly mentioned on Irish radio yesterday as an off hand remark and was shocked to see the scale of what happened when I looked it up. Normally, it would get much more coverage but all the main media shows are covering Syria and Turkey in depth and aid orgs are concentrating efforts there and providing media with stories.

Unfortunately, it's a well established pattern of media coverage that two similar disasters will not get coverage because media producers worry the audience will get 'disaster fatigue'. It's dumb but that's how media works. It also applies to war and other horrors

A live feed of various streams looks horrendous.

To be fair, how much does NZ discuss the UK floods ever year that leave people without power, displaced or dead? I can't even imagine why it would be more than a passing mention in a newspaper column over there.

Quite the reverse - every time there is a flood, or a hotter than usual day, or sometimes even a heavy snowfall in the UK we see it on the national news. Why, I really don't know.

I'm sorry to hear about this, and I only found out through a friend's comment on Facebook. It didn't come up on my main news online.

I think with everything reported in the media, it's chosen how much its reported. Last year we were bombarded with the war (absolutely not complaining about that) but when things happened with the Queen (jubilee and death) we didn't hear about the war.

This time around its focused on Turkey and Syria earthquakes.

I'll have a look at Red Cross or another charity OP and see what people can do to help.

I have actually had people in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands contacting me to see if I am okay after the cyclone so it does seem to be making the news. I live in the middle of the South Island, so not affected at all.

I had no idea till I read it here!

Let's address this non-issue - I think you are being slightly disinegnuous here. Would those who want independence want the ''motherland' coming to the rescue? Having said that, specialist rescue teams from UK went to Christchurch to help after the massive earthquake a few years ago

Re your real point: NZers are well prepared for national disasters. When I lived there, the phone book had ysunami and earthquake safety information, schools trained for such emergencies, and civil defence was well geared.
Not saying help is not required from other countries, but moaning that the uk isn't helping is rather silly. If it was/will be required, I am sure the respective govts will be talking

To be fair, how much does NZ discuss the UK floods ever year that leave people without power, displaced or dead? I can't even imagine why it would be more than a passing mention in a newspaper column over there.
As you've already been told, you're wrong. Not only that, but we aren't approving new homes on flood plains.

And, actually, the strength of the response from NZers over how well they coped with covid and how string their economy was as a result, makes me feel that they're less likely to need or want assistance.
We don't want your assistance. That said, if you're going to whinge about the covid response that kept NZ out of lockdown and deaths low, it would be nice if there was some mere mention of the country when it is pretty much all in a state of emergency. Or is NZ a faraway that is only worth mentioning to denigrate?

they do