Apples and building inspectors are among Central Otago's contribution to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
Captain Murray Sanson, of the Salvation Army Alexandra corps, said three pallets of apples donated by an Earnscleugh orchard were sent to Christchurch this week to be distributed through welfare centres.
Three of the Central Otago District Council's seven building control officers have been working in the city since Wednesday, helping assess the state of buildings, council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said yesterday.
"They are among 100 building control officers who attended a briefing and inspected 1500 houses on their first day there. They are going around making a determination on whether a home is safe, probably safe or unsafe, and giving the homes green, yellow or red stickers accordingly.
"From what our building officers said, the residents of the houses were hugely relieved to see them, and for some it was the first contact they'd had with officials," she said.
"Our guys were shocked at the extent of the damage to property and also by the stress the residents are under."
The Central Otago staff had answered a call by the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand and were likely to remain in Christchurch until tomorrow at least, Ms van der Voort said.
"The council is really pleased we can offer such practical assistance to help."
Capt Sanson said the Salvation Army had passed on offers of accommodation for those affected by the earthquake.
Several Cromwell residents had offered their homes or rooms to Christchurch residents wanting a break.
"Your heart goes out to the people in Christchurch and you can only imagine the stress they must be under."
The Salvation Army had also sent counsellors to the city to help those going through the trauma, he said.
Central Otago Victim Support chairman Bryan King said a team of Victim Support volunteers from the district was "on standby" to travel to Christchurch.
