30 Jul 2009

Most Kiwi households unprepared should disaster strike

6:18 pm on 30 July 2009

Fewer than one in four households are prepared for a natural disaster - although there's growing awareness of the potential for such disasters to strike.

That's the major finding of the Ministry of Civil Defence's annual awareness survey.

The ministry says that recent tornadoes in Kaitaia and Opunake, flooding in Gisborne and earthquakes in Southland remind us of the hazards we face.

Yet only 10% of respondents said they had adequate food, water and emergency supplies set aside at both home and work. 76% said they knew they should set aside survival basics but only 23% had made plans at home.

Support takes time to deploy, says the ministry, which continues to advise that New Zealanders should plan to be self-sufficient for three days in the event of any natural disaster.