TS ER PTO R I N SIIN GSHI TGSH R E PRO 6 T– #…3…6…–. . J2u0n1 e 9 2023
The role of recreation in disasters During times of crisis, recreation can play a vital role in helping communities to cope and rebuild. Our facilities become welfare centres, recreation activities are a welcome respite - and our skilled staff bring people together, reinforcing a sense of community. Response The widespread damage to particular communities caused by unprecedented weather events this summer isolated some and drove many from their homes. Local marae and recreation centres played an important role, as welfare centres: places people could meet and feel safe, where food was prepared and shared, and local information was available. Communities functioning well recover more quickly after natural disasters, and recreation personnel have a role to play in building that social capital. Recreation staff already have established roles in connecting communities. After natural disasters community connection is vital, and stronger communities recover faster. Recreation personnel offer valuable skills and experience including risk management and emergency operation, first aid and CPR, event and programme management. Staff are often seconded into emergency management roles, and others ran their centres as community bases, such as Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Leisure Centre in Māngere which was a one-stop shop for people seeking access to community agencies.
NZRA Insights Report – Fight, Flight or Freeze in the Red Zone
Figure 1The team at the Māngere Civil Defence Centre at Moana-Nui-aKiwa Leisure Centre
Recovery Immediate recovery focuses on survival basics – suitable housing, financial security, childcare, clearing up and trying to re-establish some kind of daily routines including school for children. These priorities are intense and draining, particularly for people who may already be in shock. Children still need care, and jobs have to be done. Equity is hugely important, as disasters hit some people harder than others. Cut off from everything, the Wairoa marae played a vital and holistic role in caring for people that went far beyond the provision of food, and included labour to clean up as well as support. The Community Centre was another stronghold of support (see Case Study). Stories from the Christchurch earthquakes have a similar theme. I genuinely felt like we were rebuilding neighbourhoods…these are the places where people gather and connect as a community and people really missed them after the quakes.”[Daniel Moses] [https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/post-quakerebuild-puts-christchurch-back-together]
If there is a moment of leisure, and recreation is easy and accessible, it may provide some respite from the stress that people experience – offering restoration, escape, time alone or with others, connection, physical release, or opportunity for reflection. Social recovery is a key element in the recovery of whole communities.
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