0800 number set up to help people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle
0800 117 672
That is the free-call helpline number that has been set up for for Hawke’s Bay people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle to access welfare services.
The number will operate from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and from 8am to 4.15pm on weekends.
The helpline is specifically for needs like health and wellbeing, including mental health, accommodation, ongoing food, household goods and services support, animal welfare and rural support.
Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group controller Ian MacDonald said the helpline would make it easier for people in Hawke's Bay to have their needs assessed and to get assistance more quickly.
“We've been operating essentially community level needs assessment. We've been delivering rapid relief over the last two weeks. We now want to move into dealing with people's individual concerns.”
“This number will operate seven days a week and it's in partnership between multiple welfare providers to ensure that everyone who calls will have access that suits the needs of all cultures in our region and in particular our Te Ao Māori communities with translation services included.”
“This helpline is specifically for welfare needs such as health, wellbeing, including mental health, accommodation needs, ongoing food, household goods and services support, animal welfare and rural support.”
Macdonald stressed that the line was not for financial support.
“If people require that they should contact MSD directly. We appreciate the support of Te Whatu Ora, whose trained call center staff will be taking calls on the new 0800 number.”
“I just want to acknowledge that the last two weeks have been hugely frustrating for everybody involved, whether it be community or first responders or people coordinating the emergency response. It's been a really challenging two weeks, I'd have to say, but I think we are making progress and this 0800 number and the coordination around that is one example of that progress.”
