New Zealand provides aid to Pacific countries affected by cyclone

WELLINGTON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that New Zealand will contribute a further 1.5 million NZ dollars (1.1 million U.S. dollars) to help with the emergency response and early recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita in Pacific countries.

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

"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 neighbors 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 NZ dollars (548,412 U.S. dollars) for New Zealand non-governmental organizations to deliver ongoing emergency relief and early recovery activities in Samoa and Tonga, Peters said.

This announcement brings the total funding allocated for the New Zealand response to Tropical Cyclone Gita to 2.25 million NZ dollars (1.65 million U.S. dollars), the minister said. Enditem