Know Your Neighbours

Do you know your neighbours? Great neighbourhoods are made up of neighbours who know each other. They are friendlier, safer and nicer places to live. Neighbours are a source of support if someone is sick, they can take care of each other’s children or look after each other’s homes when someone is on vacation. Together you can make things happen that you couldn’t on your own.

When neighbours know each other they are more likely to look after one another. This is especially important during and after a disaster, like a storm or a large earthquake.

Why Wait?

Around the world, we have seen communities organise themselves following a disaster. But why wait? By connecting with your neighbours before an emergency, you will know what to do, who to check up on, and what resources are available so that you are safe and as comfortable as possible.

We can’t prevent disasters, but we can reduce their impact by preparing our community to respond and recover more quickly. You and your neighbours face the same hazards, which means you will also endure the same impacts. This could be water cuts, power outages, road closures, or the need to find emergency shelter.

It may be several days before emergency services can begin responding to individual communities, and several months before normal infrastructure and utilities are up and running. The most immediate source of help will be your neighbours, together with the preparedness actions you took in your household before an event. When people know each other in a day-today setting, they are better able to work together during an emergency event.

In a disaster, the most immediate source of help is not the emergency services, but the people around you. You are not on your own, you are with your community.

It makes you happier

According to the New Zealand Wellbeing Index, connecting with others – friends, relatives, colleagues and neighbours, contributes to your overall wellbeing. Connecting with your neighbours not only helps you be better prepared for an emergency, it also makes you happier.

Form a Group

There are no rules on the size of your group. In a rural setting it might make sense to have a small group of 4 farms, where in a more urban area a group of 14 houses on your street might be able to support each other well. You want to aim for enough resources to collectively take care of each other, but small enough to still know everyone and understand the risks and needs of the group.

If you already have a Neighbourhood Support network in place, start there. Consider anyone else nearby who might benefit from your support. Particularly those with children, people living alone, or those with disabilities or health problems. Make sure anyone who may need extra support is included.

Are you nervous about meeting your neighbours? They probably feel the same way! It just takes one person to reach out and make the connection. Maybe this could be the conversation starter you need to break the ice. “Hi there. I am name from address, and I am working through a plan to get to know my neighbours and prepare for emergency situations if something happens in our area…”

Get Together

Invite your neighbours to a get-together. Consider a simple BBQ or afternoon tea, as food is a great way to break down barriers and bring people together. If your home or street front is not suitable, then consider public spaces such as a local park, lakeside, church or community hall. Choose a venue that is accessible for everyone you are inviting.

Sometimes neighbours don’t always see eye-to-eye. Use this get-together as an opportunity to mend a relationship. Focus on what you have in common as opposed to any differences.

It’s worthwhile discussing the following topics while getting to know each other.

Hazards and impacts

Discuss the different hazards your community might encounter, such as a storm or earthquake, and possible impacts – separation of family members, loss of electricity, people evacuating from other areas as a result of flooding, fire or tsunami.

Household preparedness

Talk about the need to ensure your own personal and household safety before responding to neighbourhood needs.

Neighbours who might require extra support

Identify and include anyone who might need extra assistance, such as families with small children, elderly, people with disabilities, or people who speak English as a second language.

Local skills and resources

Discuss what skills or resources you have in your group that might be of use in an emergency. For example, who has a BBQ, generator, chainsaw or fresh water well? Who has construction, first aid or butchering skills?

Local Community Emergency Centres

Locate your nearest Community Emergency Centres and discuss how you could contribute to your community’s response after an emergency.

Risk reduction

Discuss some ways that you can help each other make your homes safer such as securing your furniture or the foundations to your property.

It’s your street! Is there anything else that matters to you and your neighbours? Connecting with your neighbours does not have to focus on disasters.