New Zealand to extend disaster risk management help for Samoa

New Zealand will strengthen cooperation with Samoa in dealing with natural disasters, New Zealand Civil Defense Minister Nikki Kaye said Tuesday ahead of a three-day visit to the Pacific island nation.

"The ever present risk of natural hazards is something that both New Zealand and Samoa understand very well," Kaye said in a statement.

"This risk is part and parcel of living in the Pacific. We're surrounded by the Ring of Fire, which makes us susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while our geographies and climates also make us vulnerable to events such as cyclones, storms, floods and droughts," she said.

"New Zealand and Samoa have a long and close relationship, and sharing expertise and experience on managing hazards and responding to disasters plays a central part in this relationship."

Kaye would also meet with the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and attend meetings with senior government ministers and officials on disaster preparedness.

Topics would include lessons learned from previous disasters in Samoa, and New Zealand's contribution towards strengthening Samoa's risk management capabilities.

"I will also visit key disaster risk management facilities and initiatives, including the National Disaster Management Office operations center, the meteorological monitoring station at Mulinuu and the emergency siren network on the south coast of Upolu," said Kaye.

At Lalomanu, she would view areas devastated by the tsunami that killed more than 160 Samoans in September 2009, as well as work done since to prevent loss of life and property damage. Endit