ABSTRACT
Christchurch, situated on the Canterbury Plains, is the second largest city in New Zealand, with an estimated urban population. Since September 2010 there have been over 12,000 earthquakes and aftershocks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has focused on implementing disaster risk reduction, downplaying use of the term natural disaster, which it maintains reduces a focus on preparedness and measures to adopt when such events occur. New Zealand, for example, has a publicly funded health system with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) providing comprehensive, no-fault injury coverage for all New Zealand residents and visitors. National disability organizations, such as CCS Action Disability and Intellectual Disability Empowerment in Action (IDEA) IHC, developed emergency plans at the time of a pandemic threat. The New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management plays a major role in all aspects of preparedness and response to emergencies, working with other Ministries, local government and non-governmental agencies.
