Salvation Army counsellors from Australia spent a busy first day helping those affected by the Canterbury earthquake.
The 10 counsellors spent most of Tuesday in Christchurch welfare centres to relieve other Salvation Army personnel.
Major Susan Reese says many people are dealing with the loss of livelihoods and houses following the 7.1 magnitude quake on 4 September.
She says her team is mostly giving people the chance to chat, rather than offering formal counselling.
Major Reese says it is important that people have the support they need soon after a disaster so they can deal with any trauma that surfaces later.
