NZ Government to continue tsunami assistance

Winston Peters

New Zealand will continue assisting Asian nations recovering from the Boxing Day tsunami for as long as needed, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today.

"There is much more to do, and many of those affected by the tsunami have lost everything and are not yet back on their feet," he said.

"New Zealand is committed to continuing our role in the recovery for as long as it takes, and delivering our assistance in a meaningful and accountable way."

New Zealanders here and across Asia will today remember the tsunami which killed 216,000 people and displaced 1.7 million in 12 countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

"Our thoughts go out to the families of those who died or were injured by last year's tsunami, and also to the areas which are still rebuilding," Mr Peters said in a statement.

New Zealand gave its biggest aid contribution of $68 million in the aftermath of the December 26 disaster.

"The cornerstone of the Government's contribution to the international relief and reconstruction effort was the $20m contribution to the specialised agencies of the United Nations and New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to transfer all money pledged."

By this month just over $51m had been spent, with the remainder dedicated to the Indonesian bilateral programme and a major project in Sri Lanka, he said.

Almost $2.5m given to the UN Fund for Population Activities in Aceh had helped provide medical supplies and services for 150,000 women who were pregnant at the time.

The Government had also matched $19m donated by New Zealanders to more than 50 organisations which was helping fund a range of projects throughout the region, Mr Peters said.

Sri Lankan and Indonesian community groups in New Zealand also received funding through the dollar-for-dollar initiative.

The Auckland-based Sri Lanka Buddhist Trust was restoring utilities in a small coastal village in Sri Lanka and 51 families now had access to clean water and toilet facilities.

- NZPA