Experts warn citizens against DIY demolition.
The New Zealand cabinet on Monday made an initial 5 million NZ dollars (3.5 million U.S. dollars) contribution to the mayoral fund set up to help those affected by the earthquake in New Zealand’s South Island.
The welfare fund is to assist people not covered by other agencies such as Work and Income.
Prime Minister John Key said Cabinet will make 94 million NZ dollars from the emergency works budget available immediately so work can start on fixing roads.
He said the 5 million NZ dollars marked just the start of the government’s financial contribution, and the cost of restoring infrastructure will run into hundreds of millions of dollars.
Demolition work has got under way in central Christchurch to remove buildings devastated by Saturday’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
Heavy machinery began pulling down condemned buildings to make the city safer earlier on Monday afternoon.
Lines company Orion said people are putting themselves at risk by demolishing quake-damaged houses before they have been completely removed from the power network.
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