Relief funds grow

Minister in charge of the national cyclone relief for Aitutaki, Wilkie Rasmussen, says pledges of relief funds from other countries and organisations are beginning to grow rapidly.

Already around $8 million in NZAID funds which have been allocated but not yet spent on other projects may be diverted to the reconstruction efforts.

Rasmussen says NZ has already added another $100,000 to its initial commitment of $200,000 for relief efforts. This extra funding will cover building materials and reconstruction work at the hospital and schools on the island.

The minister is hoping much more funding will be coming in to cover the high cost of building reconstruction which he believes will be much higher than the $12 million initial estimate.

He says government should have a plan to commence house reconstruction on the island by the middle of next week.

Rasmussen says government has $2.7 million in funding available for cyclone relief. He says under the Constitution, government can use one-twentieth of its annual budget without having to table a budget in parliament and this is what it has opted to do to enable it to start spending on cyclone relief.

Yesterday the ministry of finance signed off on an increase to government funds being used to cover such expenses as food and shelter for the many volunteer and government workers involved in recovery efforts in Aitutaki. The initial $20,000 commitment has now increased to $50,000.

Outside pledges of assistance include

• $199,409 from Red Cross International

• $197,772 from the European Union

• $150,000 from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund

• $14,661 from the Pacific Forum Secretariat

• $71,520 from UNESCO, and

• $7152 from the World Health Organisation.

Meantime the minister commends the Cook Islands community efforts here and overseas to raise funds and other assistance for Aitutaki.