NZ always ready to help a neighbour, says envoy

NEW Zealand continues to provide assistance to the government and people of Papua New Guinea following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake 17 days ago, High Commissioner Sue Mackwell, pictured, says.
“As a Pacific neighbour prone to earthquakes, our thoughts are with the people of Papua New Guinea as they respond to this earthquake,” she said.
New Zealand provided an initial contribution of NZ$500,000 (K1.1 million) to help with the emergency response.
The funding has been used to buy essential emergency relief supplies and to transport UNICEF therapeutic food and nutrition supplements to smaller airports by commercial means.
New Zealand also supported the Department of Health and St John Ambulance medical team’s visit to the Highlands to support the provincial health authorities.
A NZ Defence Force C-130 Hercules aircraft transported relief supplies from New Zealand last week.
They included tarpaulins, shelter kits, family hygiene kits, mother and infant kits and water.
The aircraft is in the country until today to assist with the transportation of relief supplies and officials from Port Moresby to Moro airfield and Mt Hagen which are close to the affected areas.
“New Zealand will continue to work with the Papua New Guinean authorities, Australia, the United Nations, donors and aid agencies on the ground to identify how else New Zealand can best assist,” Mackwell said.