NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT TO TSUNAMI RELIEF VICTIMS

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000007

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID PGOV NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND SUPPORT TO TSUNAMI RELIEF VICTIMS

REF: SECSTATE 959


1. (U) NZAid has confirmed to post the break down of the NZD
10 million (about USD 7.2 million) that the New Zealand
Government has committed so far to the relief effort:

-- Up to NZD 5 million will be given in dollar-for-dollar
matching funds for private charitable donations (FYI: The Red
Cross here has announced donations to their organization
alone so far total $3.2 million; they expect the total to
increase to $8 million. So we can expect the government will
likely pay out the full $5 million.)

-- NZD 3 million (USD 2.16) will go to the UN Aceh appeal.

-- NZD 2 million will be provided for general relief efforts.
This includes NZD 300,000 to provide funding for a New
Zealand company operating helicopters in Borneo to conduct
relief operations, including reconnaissance, liaison, and
light transport. It also includes a police forensic team
helping to identify bodies in Phuket.


2. (U) Many New Zealand officials remain on leave this
holiday break, and those whom post contacted were unable to
tell us whether or not the NZD 10 million includes the funds
used to support NZ Defense Force (NZDF) tsunami relief
efforts. As of now, there are two C-130 Hercules in the
region, airlifting relief supplies and personnel to the
affected areas and evacuating refugees out. One C-130
arrived in Sumatra on January 2 with a 30-member NZDF medical
team that is working with Indonesian authorities and
alongside an Australian Defence Force Health Support Company.
The other was deployed on December 28, and as of December 31
had delivered 25 tons of supplies before suffering a crack in
its manifold. After repairs, it delivered a water
purification plant into Aceh province. A RNZAF Being 757 has
been in the region since December 31, carrying Police and
Defense personnel to help with victim identification.


3. (U) As of today, there have been two confirmed New
Zealand deaths in the Phuket region and one in Sri Lanka.
The government remains "gravely concerned" about 17 other New
Zealanders, seven whom were thought to have been in
Thailand, four in Sri Lanka, four in India, and one in the
Andaman Islands. According to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, a total of 737 New Zealanders remain
unaccounted for overall.


4. (SBU) Although none of the confirmed or feared New
Zealand casualties have been in Indonesia, that is where the
bulk of NZ assistance has been directed. This apparently
reflects the government's assessment of where the need is
greatest, as well as the fact that the military aircraft
being used to deliver assistance can most easily reach
Indonesia from New Zealand and Australia.
Swindells