NZ pledges further $1.5 million to Pacific Islands Cyclone Gita relief

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand will contribute a further $1.5 million (US$1.1 million) to help with the emergency response and early recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita.

The money is on top of the $750,000 (US$552,000) that the Government has already contributed to the relief efforts.

“This additional funding will be directed to Tonga, Samoa and Fiji which have all felt the impact of the cyclone,” said Peters.

“A picture of the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gita is emerging and it is clear a big response and clean-up job lies ahead. We are here to help our neighbours get through this,” he said.

This latest funding will be used to replenish New Zealand Red Cross relief supplies in Tonga and provide up to $750,000 for New Zealand NGOs to deliver ongoing emergency relief and early recovery activities in Samoa and Tonga.

The announcement brings the total funding allocated for the New Zealand response to Tropical Cyclone Gita to $2,250,000 (US$1,656,873.

 

Photo by Digicel Tonga