$20,000 from Forum for Aitutaki

The ministry of foreign affairs and immigration has been busy co-ordinating requests for assistance to rebuild Aitutaki – from regional and international sources, according to secretary Mike Mitchell.

“We have been promised $20,000 from the Forum Secretariat immediately – which should defray some of the transport costs.

“We have also been encouraged to contact the World Bank regional office in Sydney, the Asian Development Bank regional office and the SOPAC office in Fiji.”

Mitchell said that there were other sources of funds still to be tapped.

“We are working with Aid Management, the Ministry of Finance and all those involved, to get Aitutaki back on its feet as soon as possible. I understand New Zealand and Australia are closely following the initial assessment.”