Off the wire
• Roundup: Economists warn of recession in U.S.  • Interview: Obama faces challenge of making his Cuba legacy irreversible -- analyst  • Interview: Obama faces challenge of making his Cuba legacy irreversible -- analyst  • Severe tropical cyclone Winston kills at least 5 in Fiji  • Militants kill Indian military officer in fresh assault in Indian-controlled Kashmir  • Two Haqqani local leaders detained in Afghanistan  • Spotlight: Bolivian referendum to decide future of Morales gov't  • Backgrounder: Bolivians to decide whether to give Morales fourth presidential term  • China's Sichuan Opera makes debut at Aberdeen's oldest theater  • Malaysians fighting for IS to be barred from coming home: Deputy PM  
You are here: 　 Home

New Zealand sends patrol aircraft, releases aid to Fiji after cyclone

Xinhua, February 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Initial support, including an Orion P3 maritime patrol aircraft, has been sent to Fiji to respond to Tropical Cyclone Winston, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Sunday.

McCully said in a statement that a New Zealand Defence Force aircraft Orion P3 has departed to help the Fiji government to carry out aerial surveillance and damage assessments.

The New Zealand government is in close contact with of Fiji authorities and stands ready to assist Fiji people as they deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Winston, said McCully.

The New Zealand government announced 50,000 NZ dollars (33,167 U.S. dollars) OF support via High Commission to ensure it can respond rapidly to urgent requests from the Fiji government.

Pre-positioned relief supplies of up to 170,000 NZ dollars (112,767 U.S. dollars) were authorized by New Zealand government, which is held by non-government partners such as Rotary and UNICEF in Fiji.

McCully said New Zealand would work with local authorities to determine further supports.

The category 5 tropical cyclone swept through Fiji between the Pacific island country's main island of Viti Levu and northern island of Vanua Levu. Five people have been confirmed killed by the severe tropical cyclone. Endit