New Zealand commits additional K6.9 million to PNG Earthquake disaster

THE New Zealand Government last weekend announced a further NZ$3 million package of support following the February 26 earthquake.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters made the announcement, saying the latest funding would be used to meet ongoing needs on the ground and includes up to NZ$1.5 million for New Zealand non-governmental organisations with local partners to deliver ongoing emergency relief and early recovery activities in the Highlands.

“The full extent of this disaster is only becoming clear now nearly three weeks later and there has been extensive damage to water and food sources, transport infrastructure and significant loss of life,” Mr Peters said.

New Zealand has been working with the Government of Papua New Guinea, Australia and other donors to provide humanitarian relief, transporting relief supplies from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea and from Port Moresby into the Highlands.

“The Highlands region of Papua New Guinea is a challenging environment and the response and subsequent recovery will take time. This additional support reflects this,” Mr Peters said.

This funding is in addition to an initial package of NZ$500,000 and the deployment of a New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules carrying emergency supplies to PNG.