Christchurch terror attack: More than 30 widows needing support after shooting

More than 30 women have been left widowed and needing help after the Christchurch terror attack.

Fifty people were killed when a gunman opened fire inside the Deans Ave and Linwood Ave mosques on Friday, March 15.

Most of the dead were men, as they prayed in a separate room to the women and children.

Christchurch Muslim Leadership Group member Nehaad Al-Waiz told The AM Show many of the families affected by the tragedy are struggling to manage.

"For some families who have lost their fathers, their brothers, husbands, they are still trying to struggle [through] their day to day life as you must have heard.

"Their licence was a problem, they [aren't] able to drive their vehicles and just dealing with that amount of families, which is quite a lot, it's tragic."

He couldn't give a precise number, but said the attack had left more than 30 women widowed.

Labour Party MP Kris Faafoi told The AM Show the Government is working with the victims now, and will continue to do so for a long time.

"There are going to be some PTSD issues, but obviously [the Government is] working through the likes of what financial support we can continue offering.

"Some of the main bread-winners are victims here.  Immigration too - some of these families may need support from family who don't live here."

National Party MP Judith Collins said the office of ethnic communities would be working with the victims too.

"They have quite a lot to do with interfaith and religious groups. I think you'll find a lot of support going in there."

Al-Waiz said the community is also pitching in with the widows, checking in on them to make sure their needs were being met.

"They are going to their houses on a daily basis, knocking on their doors, making sure that they're okay and they're being looked after." 

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