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REBUILDING THE ROCK OF NIUE |
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By
Ruci
Farrell |
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It could
take 15 months and $20 million worth of rebuilding to restore the
Pacific Island nation of Niue as it picks up after Cyclone Heta
mercilessly chewed through the capital Alofi.
New Zealand has committed $5 million for reconstruction work on the
island. A joint statement from Foreign Affairs minister Phil Goff and
Aid Minister Marian Hobbs says the emergency relief phase is nearly
over and we must look at how we can help set Niue back on its feet in
the long term.
With winds of up to 300 knots, coral beds have been rearranged, huge
boulders now fill the coastline and what used to be lush greenery is
now tinder dry desert roads singed by heavy lashings of saline water.
Niu FM news chief Elma Maua who accompanied New Zealand’s Minster for
Foreign Affairs, Phil Goff when he made a whirlwind flight to Niue last
week said the island atoll resembled a war zone.
“There are no shrubs, no trees, the cyclone literally lifted the rock
face of Niue. It will need a new resettlement programme,” said Elma
Maua.
She was part of the NZ ministerial team that took the 10-hour flight to
the island and spent two hours to assess the damage and discuss
rehabilitationprogrammes with Niue’s government officials before returning to Wellington on the Hercules.
Mr Goff is expected to present a report on the Niue situation to Cabinet in
Wellington with recommendations of an extensive rebuilding programme.
There has been no shortage of help for the island’s 1788 citizens as a host of
international aid agencies and neighboring nations rally to prop up the tiny
island.
The Australian army set up an emergency hospital with a medical team and
medicines, the French government has provided a satellite dish worth half a
million dollars and two ships from New Zealand carrying loaders, tractors and
building supplies should arrive this week to help clear the debris.
“The immediate needs for food, drinking water and medical supplies on the island
are being met thanks to relief flights from New Zealand, Australia and France,”
Mr Goff said. |
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New
Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Phil Goff viewing the
completely demolished hospital in Alofi. |
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First photos out of Niue show the devastation done by cyclone
Heta, with many homes completely destroyed. |
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Overturned cars and fallen trees resemble a war zone in the
capital of Niue. |
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“The next challenge will be preparing an assistance package that meets Niue’s
longer-terms needs.”
The Niuean community and other New Zealanders have been generous in coming
forward with donations and offers of assistance with specialist skills. Power
and telecommunications have been restored in some parts of the island although
there are concerns about the quality of water.
The return flight is expected to carry around 15 Niueans who are either pregnant
or requiring medical treatment for light to moderate injuries. Our second relief
flight included tradespersons with the expertise to get services up and running
and to assess longer-term equipment needs.
“Ten volunteers including telecommunications specialists, linesmen, a plumber
and a doctor will start work immediately to help Niueans rebuild and get their
lives back to normal,” Mr Goff said.
New Zealand is also sending an occupational therapy team with specialist
equipment to get rid of life threatening asbestos in homes that were built in
the 60s.
Whilst the island has weathered catastrophic physical damage, its inhabitants
are resilient and determined to restore The Rock with its acres of mahogany,
rows of vanilla crop and rebuild its tourism.
“Niue is adamant it will retain its five year plan to keep its tourism,
agriculture and fishing sector up and running again,” Elma Maua said.
New Zealand’s 20,000 Niueans have been collecting money, food and medical
supplies and offering their expertise for the rebuilding phase.
Meanwhile Niue may not be ready in time to host this year’s Pacific Forum
meeting in August and has informed New Zealand, as Chair of the Pacific Islands
Forum, that it wishes to defer hosting the Forum for at least a year, Foreign
Minister Phil Goff said.
Meanwhile NIU FM has opened a Niu FM Cyclone Heta Relief Fund for Niue at any
National Bank branch. Radio 531 PI also has set up a cyclone relief fund. A
continuous number of fundraising is taking place especially in Auckland to
support the cyclone relief campaign.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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