1000 evacuees visit Christchurch 'embassy'

An estimated 1000 Christchurch evacuees have passed through Dunedin's "Christchurch Embassy" since it was established a month ago, one of the co-ordinators says.

But that was only a small proportion of the evacuees who had been sheltering or who were still sheltering in the city, Dunedin Council of Social Services executive officer Sue Russell said yesterday.

The embassy is downsizing, and will move on Friday from the Dunedin Railway Station to the Community Gallery, in Moray Pl.

Inquiries to date had been varied, she said, ranging from housing and schools to employment possibilities and what help was available for those wanting to stay in Dunedin or Otago.

Many people also required counselling or financial assistance.

Ms Russell said the centre would continue to be staffed by volunteers who would be able to connect visitors with whatever services they needed.

The plan was to close it on April 22, two months after the earthquake, but that could change, depending on usage at the new site.

Now that time had passed, evacuees had more complex problems, she said.

"Some have realised they are not going back ..."

The many agencies involved with the embassy wanted to hear from evacuees who were staying in Dunedin longer than first anticipated, or who were planning to settle here, Ms Russell said.

allison.rudd@odt.co.nz

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