At 4:35 a.m. Saturday morning, Christchurch was struck by the most devastating earthquake it has witnessed since 1931.

Of the damage caused in the city center by the earthquake and its many aftershocks, approximately 90 buildings suffered significant damage and many of them will probably have to be knocked down, according to Prime Minister John Key.

An overnight curfew has been lifted, but the city center remains barricaded off.

AUIP’s Lee lives in Christchurch and says, “The whole experience was very surreal; I awoke from my slumber still thinking I was dreaming [that I was being eaten by a crocodile!]. Fortunately we only lost a TV and a bowl, but some people lost their homes! The whole experience makes you feel very insignificant in the grand scheme of things.”

Thankfully all AUIP staff and their families are safe and have not lost their homes.