A man in Dunedin with a learning disability is facing a Christmas spent indoors in a motel due to delays in returning to his flood-damaged home.
In October, heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding and damage in the Otago region, leading to a state of emergency in Dunedin and the Clutha District.
Over 50 properties in Dunedin were either deemed unsafe to occupy (red-stickered) or had restricted entry (yellow-stickered).
Despite being told he could return home before Christmas, David King has been living in a motel since October and now faces a wait until at least mid-January.
King, who has a learning disability, has found the extended stay in temporary accommodation challenging, especially as he lost the support he relied on in his daily life.
The festive season has been particularly difficult for King, knowing he will be spending Christmas alone in his motel room, uncertain of when he can return home.
Feeling let down by the Dunedin City Council for failing to deliver promised sandbags during the floods, King expressed his disappointment and frustration.
Despite the challenges he faced, King is determined to rebuild his life and move forward, although the trauma of the experience will linger.
With no support during his time of need, King was left to navigate insurance claims and recovery efforts on his own.
“You find yourself without anyone to guide you through the system.”
Upon his return home, he will encounter fresh obstacles: re-establishing utilities, salvaging his possessions, and managing extra expenses – all while relying on a benefit.
“Sometimes, without the proper support, you feel completely stranded.”
King emphasized the importance of the Dunedin City Council having a comprehensive plan in place to assist individuals with disabilities during emergencies.
He suggested that the plan should involve reaching out to them with clear instructions to follow, giving them priority access to resources like sandbags, evacuating them early to prevent them from being trapped in floodwaters, and providing regular updates in accessible formats.
“With the increasing impacts of climate change, these situations are becoming more frequent.”
Advocates are calling for a more inclusive approach to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mojo Mathers, chief executive of the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA), highlighted emergency preparedness as a top priority for the disability community based on a survey conducted earlier in the year.
During the KĆrero for Change on Emergency Preparedness webinar, hosted by Access Matters Aotearoa, project manager Juliana Carvalho pointed out that people with disabilities are often overlooked in emergency planning and decision-making processes, resulting in solutions that do not cater to their actual needs.
Carvalho highlighted that emergency alerts and information are not consistently provided in accessible formats, leaving many individuals uninformed or ill-prepared during crises.
In addition, physical infrastructure such as buildings and emergency exits is frequently inaccessible to those with disabilities.
Research by Dr. Suzanne Phibbs from Massey University highlighted the disproportionate impact of disasters on low-income communities and the need for a comprehensive, all-of-government approach to disability-inclusive preparedness and response.
Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston stated that the government is committed to meeting the needs of disabled individuals and their families, with plans to implement recommendations from an independent review of the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.
Furthermore, the wider disability community will have the opportunity to provide input on how the government should deliver disability support services in the near future.
