Samoa’s Tsunami-Damaged Resorts To Be Helped by New Zealand $4 million

[picapp align=”center” wrap=”false” link=”term=tourists+samoa&iid=6692395″ src=”6/b/b/7/John_Key_Visits_66f4.jpg?adImageId=7875492&imageId=6692395″ width=”500″ height=”335″ /]

APIA, SAMOA – OCTOBER 02: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key speaks with tourists at the Sinalei Resort near the village of Maninoa following on October 2, 2009 in Apia, Samoa. The 8.3 magnitude strong earthquake struck 200km from Samoa’s capital Apia on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami wave across areas of the island. Clean-up efforts have been hampered by a further quake measuring 6.3 which struck yesterday 85 kilometres south-east of Tonga. The official death toll across the Islands stands at 149. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

The latest report from Samoa Government shows New Zealand $4 million donation to Samoa post tsunami  is intended for the redevelopment of tourist resorts damaged in the tsunami of Tuesday 29th September 2009.

Other help and aid provided to Samoa Government by New Zealand Government:

• Budget support assistance, post-tsunami, of $5 million (AUD?).
• Official development assistance  increased to $14 million for this year. (Another rise in the next two years of $15 (NZ) million and $17 (NZ)  million dollars respectively.)
• Assistance of NZ$1 million to sustain the Air New Zealand flights to Los Angeles.

Tsunami Rebuilding

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi also report on the progress of the tsunami rebuilding process and cost estimates for work that needs to be done. Minister of Works also explained in detail the current situation of the tsunami rebuilding phase and forthcoming works.

Appreciation to New Zealand Defence Forces

The Minister also thanked New Zealand’s Defence Force for their service in saving lives and conducting aerial surveys for tsunami rebuilding-development plans.

Other issues discussed included:

• Discussions on the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme, and to emphasize the importance of this scheme in providing employment for Samoans,
• Ocean surveillance for fishing between Samoa and New Zealand and other Pacific countries,
• Export of Samoa’s produces to New Zealand,
• Security work that include Police and the Office of the Attorney General,
• Corresponding in education, scientific research, environment and natural resources, and
• Corresponding between Samoa and New Zealand through their Ministries of Women and Social Developments

These issues have already been approved in the JMC and will be forwarded to offices of the two countries for implementation to further reflect good relations between Samoa and New Zealand.

Samoa’s delegation also visited a shop at Greenlane which sells the organic lady’s finger bananas (misiluki) imported to New Zealand with assistance from the Women in Business organization and Samoa Commission of Trade in New Zealand.

Memorial service

A special Church service in memory of the New Zealanders who died in the tsunami and also to honor all the tsunami victims was held in Auckland after the JMC meeting. Prime Minister Tuilaepa presented a wreath on behalf of the Samoan people during the service. Also attending the service were the Prime Minister of Tonga, Members of the Royal family and representatives from American Samoa and the United States of America.

Heading Samoa’s delegation was Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi which include the Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure, Afioga Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau; Minister of Women Community and Social Development, Afioga Fiame Naomi; Samoa’s Consular in Auckland, Afioga Asi Tuiataga Blakelock; Consular of Trade, MPMC Chief Executive Officer Susuga Vaosa Epa, MNRE Chief Executive Officer Afioga Taulealeausumai Laavasa Malua and Foreign Affairs CEO Afioga Aiono Mose Sua.

Source: Government of Samoa, Press Secretariat