Rosalie Crawford of Webhealth www.webhealth.co.nz

As a result of the Christchurch earthquake and the hundreds of aftershocks that followed, we have experienced the reassurance of seeing the well-organised and quick activation of emergency services and community resources.

It's clear that having a community that connects up fast so that people can support each other is crucial to minimising the health risks that can arise during this type of crisis, and we can only ask ourselves whether our own community is prepared for an emergency.

Being prepared means ensuring we have water and food stored, survival and medical kits, light sticks and candles. But it also means having connections in place across our community so we know who has what provisions and resources that we can access and use if necessary.

People in crowded Christchurch welfare centres are asking what will happen to them long-term if they can't return to their earthquake-shattered homes. Some are sleeping on stretchers and mattresses and need food and fresh water. Others need volunteers to help them and pick them up to go out and get food. Still others are sleeping in their cars.

Gradually connections form between those who have immediate needs and organisations or volunteer groups who provide the resources to help meet those needs.

On Webhealth Bay of Plenty the directory of health and social services shows that in our own community we have support groups for people with heart problems, brain injury, fibromyalgia and disabilities. There are also groups for housing, settlement, suicide, grief and loss, as well as volunteer groups and organisations that provide furniture and clothing. Now is a good time to find out what is available in our immediate neighbourhood and to develop links by volunteering and learning new skills that will help our community face emergencies that may arise in the future.

Webhealth is all about growing strong connected communities and linking people to wellbeing.

For more information go to www.webhealth.co.nz – your link to wellbeing.

Rosalie Crawford is a medical scientist and lecturer who works for Webhealth Linkage Trust. Email: Rosalie@webhealth.co.nz Website: www.webhealth.co.nz , phone 0800 WEBHEALTH, Skype: Guavablue, Twitter: WebhealthBOP